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Community Helpers & Gratitude. Meet the people who help us and practice saying thank you. This is Month 3 of our free 12-month preschool curriculum for ages 3 to 5. Below you will find a weekly lesson plan, the letters and math to practice, science and art ideas, a supplies list, and easy ways to make it simpler or harder for your child.
- Month 3 of 12
- Ages 3–5 (best fit: 4–5)
- 4 weekly topics
- About 20–30 minutes a day
What Your Child Will Learn in Month 3
- New letters
- Bb, Dd, Gg, Hh
- Language & literacy
- Listen for beginning sounds (b-b-ball), retell a story in two or three sentences, and make a thank-you card.
- Math
- Count objects to 10, compare big/small and long/short, and find rectangles.
- Science & discovery
- My body and staying healthy: handwashing and listening to a heartbeat with a toy stethoscope.
- Social & emotional
- Help others and do small jobs at home. Say “thank you” and mean it.
- Art & music
- Helper hats and thank-you cards.
- Movement & hands
- Snip paper strips with child-safe scissors. Crawl, climb, and carry in a “firefighter” obstacle course.
These goals match the five learning areas in the Head Start framework. Core goals are for most children. Anything marked stretch is optional. See the full list of learning areas and the typical milestones for ages 4 and 5.
Month 3 Weekly Lesson Plan
Do one short activity from each column, three or four days a week. Keep each one to about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop when your child loses interest.
| Week & topic | Letters & language | Math | Science | Art, music & movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1: Doctors and nurses | Name body parts and talk about what a doctor does. Say the first sound of each body part. | Count bandages or cotton balls up to 10. | Listen to a heartbeat with a toy stethoscope. | Play clinic and act out helping a patient. |
| Week 2: Firefighters and police officers | Collect pictures of helper tools and say the first sound of each, like h for hose and hat. | Compare big and small: a fire truck and a toy car. | Squirt water from a bottle at paper flames and talk about how water helps. | Make a firefighter hat and march around the room. |
| Week 3: Mail carriers and grocery workers | Dictate a letter to a family member, then pretend to mail it. | Sort envelopes by color and count 10 stickers as stamps. | Hold groceries and decide heavy or light. | Set up a pretend store or post office. |
| Week 4: Giving thanks | Make a thank-you card and trace the words thank you. | Count what is in the gratitude jar each day. | Talk about foods that grow on farms and in gardens. | Draw a picture of something you are thankful for. |
Not sure how to fit this into your day? Use the sample daily rhythm.
Letters to Practice This Month
Bb, Dd, Gg, Hh.
Play with letters through games, not drills: find them on signs and cereal boxes, trace them in sand or salt, and say the first sound of everyday objects. Knowing some letters is a typical milestone at age 5, so there is no pressure to master every letter.
Words to Use All Month
Use these words in everyday conversation and while you read. Hearing a word in many settings helps it stick.
- helper
- doctor
- firefighter
- police officer
- mail carrier
- community
- grateful
- thank you
Supplies Checklist
Everything here is common household stuff. Tick items off as you gather them.
Easy Activities to Try at Home
Try this
- Glitter handwashing: put glitter on hands to show how germs spread, then wash it off together.
- Pretend play: set up a clinic or post office with envelopes, stickers, and a toy stethoscope.
- Gratitude jar: each day your child names one thing they are thankful for.
Read together
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
- Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
Check your local library. Ask the librarian for more community helpers & gratitude books.
Make It Easier or Harder
If your child needs more support
Learn just two helpers and one way each one helps. Use pretend play instead of writing.
If your child is ready for more
Ask your child to draw and dictate a thank-you note to a real helper, then deliver it.
Parent tip: Give your child one real job at home, like watering a plant or setting napkins, so helping becomes a habit.
Month check-in: Your child can name three community helpers and what each one does.
Month 3 Preschool Curriculum FAQs
How do I teach gratitude to a preschooler?
Ask one simple question each day, such as what made you smile today, and share your own answer too. A gratitude jar makes it a fun routine.
Should we go on a real field trip?
A short visit to the library, a fire station open house, or the grocery store can bring helpers to life. Call ahead to ask when children are welcome.
How do I talk about firefighters and police without scaring my child?
Focus on how helpers keep us safe and healthy. Read books together, visit in calm settings, and let your child ask questions.
All 12 Months
Add Free Printables to Month 3
Match this month’s lessons with free printables and coloring pages.
Sources
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five
- NAEYC: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- CDC: Milestones by 4 Years
- CDC: Milestones by 5 Years
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice and does not replace a developmental screening or guidance from your child’s doctor or teacher.