In this field trip, kids will learn about community helpers, who they are, and how they help take care of a community.

Content Unit :
Community
Featured Creature :
Beaver, Naked mole-rat, Western lowland gorilla, Meerkat

Lessons and Activities

Check out fun and easy classroom activities to help kids, families, and teachers explore the topic of community and community helpers with the Smithsonian!

Letter to Families

Print or send this letter home with your students to help them share what they learned during the "Community Helpers" virtual field trip and how families can continue the learning at home!

Resources

A keeper with blue gloves holds a pink Naked-mole rat.
Community Helpers

Naked Mole-Rat Community Helpers

Have you ever wondered why Naked mole-rats look the way they do? Or what a Naked mole-rat family structure, or colony, is like? With the help of Keeper Mimi and Pinky Jackalope, discover more about these hairless creatures and how they are great examples of community helpers!

Additional details
Age Group:
Preschool Toddler
Animal:
Mammals
ELOF Domain:
Approaches to Learning Social and Emotional Development
Format:
Video
Language:
English
Museum:
National Zoo
Topic:
Animals Communities and Neighborhoods Homes and Habitats Nature Science
Watch
Two Naked mole-rats are pictured with one resting on top of the other.
Community Helpers

Helpers in Human and Animal Communities

This resource explores what community helpers are and how animals, specifically Naked mole-rats, live together in community groups, just like we do! The activities, videos, read-aloud suggestions, and conversation starters can help deepen community helper units

Additional details
Age Group:
Preschool
Animal:
Mammals
ELOF Domain:
Approaches to Learning Scientific Reasoning Social and Emotional Development
Format:
E-Course
Language:
English
Museum:
National Museum of American History National Zoo
Topic:
Animals Communities and Neighborhoods
View
Two people, one holding a guitar, stand next to a pink jackalope puppet. They stand in front of a backdrop of bamboo and other greenery.
Community Helpers

Smithsonian Community Helpers

Community helpers are people who do important jobs to keep communities safe, healthy, and running smoothly. Here at the National Zoo and the Smithsonian, there are many different kinds of community helpers who keep all the animals and the museums safe and sound. In this video, discover a few of those community helpers and get a glimpse of the work they do often behind the scenes.

Additional details
Age Group:
Preschool Toddler
ELOF Domain:
Approaches to Learning Scientific Reasoning Social and Emotional Development
Format:
Video
Language:
English
Museum:
National Museum of American History National Museum of Natural History National Zoo Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center Smithsonian Gardens
Topic:
Animals Communities and Neighborhoods Social Emotional Development
Watch
A white and black dalmatian sits while wearing a red plastic firefighter hat and red vest.
Community Helpers

Firefighting Dogs Storybook

Did you know that dogs not only help people as loving friends and pets, but they also help firefighters? In this storybook, you’ll explore the history of dogs working alongside firefighters and learn about the community helper roles they perform today.

Additional details
Age Group:
Preschool Toddler
Animal:
Mammals
ELOF Domain:
Approaches to Learning Language and Communication Language and Literacy Social and Emotional Development
Format:
PDF
Language:
English
Museum:
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Topic:
Animals Communities and Neighborhoods
Download Book
A mom gorilla and a baby gorilla sit and face each other. The mom gorilla has a piece of lettuce in her hand.
Community Helpers

Gorilla Families

Join keeper Lauren and Pinky Jackalope as they introduce you to the Western lowland gorilla family at the National Zoo! With six gorillas living together, each one has an important job that helps keep their family happy, healthy, and strong.
Additional details
Age Group:
Preschool Toddler
Animal:
Gorilla Mammals
ELOF Domain:
Approaches to Learning Scientific Reasoning Social and Emotional Development
Format:
Video
Language:
English
Museum:
National Zoo
Topic:
Animals Communities and Neighborhoods Social Emotional Development
Watch
Write Soon Stamp from National Postal Museum
Me, You, and Elephants, Too! Community Helpers

Mail Connects Communities

Mail is an important way to stay connected with our family and friends -- our communities -- both near and far. Help your young learners explore, create, and send mail with this engaging activity from the National Postal Museum!
Additional details
Age Group:
Toddler Preschool
ELOF Domain:
Social and Emotional Development Language and Literacy
Format:
E-Activity
Language:
English
Museum:
National Postal Museum
Topic:
Communities and Neighborhoods
View
Sesame Street Sign from National Museum of American History
Me, You, and Elephants, Too! Community Helpers

What Makes My Neighborhood Special?

Who are the people in YOUR neighborhood? The National Museum of American History and the National Portrait Gallery use Sesame Street to inspire young children to explore and celebrate their own neighborhoods with these fun activities!
Additional details
Age Group:
Preschool
ELOF Domain:
Social and Emotional Development
Format:
E-Activity
Language:
English
Museum:
National Museum of American History National Portrait Gallery
Topic:
Communities and Neighborhoods
View
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