Preschoolers are still learning how to navigate everyday challenges—whether it’s tying their shoes, feeling sad, or losing a favorite toy. At this age, one of the most important problem-solving skills they can develop is knowing who to ask for help in different situations.

Related resources:

• social skills activities
• social skills lessons

This activity, “My Helpers,” teaches preschoolers how to recognize trusted adults who can assist them when they need support. By learning to identify the right helper for different problems, children build confidence, independence, and the ability to ask for help when it matters most.

This article will cover:

• Why teaching young children about trusted helpers is essential
• How to introduce the concept of identifying the right person for help
• A free printable problem-solving worksheet and lesson plan to reinforce these skills

By the end, you’ll have a ready-to-use preschool activity that teaches young learners how to find the right helper in any situation.

Why Teaching Preschoolers About Trusted Helpers Matters

Young children are naturally curious and want to be independent, but they also need to know when and how to ask for help. Sometimes, they may feel unsure about who to turn to when they have a problem.

Teaching preschoolers to recognize trusted adults and understand their roles helps them:

• Feel safe and supported knowing there are people who can help
• Make confident decisions about seeking help when needed
• Understand different types of problems and the best person to ask for assistance
• Develop early problem-solving skills by matching challenges with solutions

When children understand who their helpers are, they feel more secure, capable, and prepared to navigate daily life.

Interactive Preschool Activity: “My Helpers”

This free printable worksheet helps preschoolers match common problems to the correct helpers, reinforcing what they’ve learned in a hands-on way.

Students will:

1. Look at pictures of different situations where a child needs help.
2. Choose the correct helper from a set of options.
3. Talk about their choices, explaining why a particular helper is the best fit.

For example:

• A child loses their lunchbox → Ask the teacher
• A child feels sick → Ask the school nurse
• A child needs help tying their shoes → Ask a parent or caregiver

This simple activity builds problem-solving confidence by showing that help is always available when needed.

Lesson Plan: Teaching Preschoolers to Ask for Help

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognize trusted helpers in their lives
• Identify who to ask for help in different situations
• Apply these skills in real-life problem-solving scenarios

Materials

• Printable “My Helpers” worksheet

• Pictures or flashcards of different helpers
• Whiteboard or chart paper for discussion

Step 1: Introduce the Concept of Identifying Helpers (5 minutes)

Gather students and say: “Everyone needs help sometimes! Today, we’re going to learn about different people who can help us and when to ask for help.”

Write the question “Who are our helpers?” on the board. Ask students to name people who help them every day, like family, teachers, or doctors.

As they answer, write their ideas under different categories:

• At Home: Parents, siblings, grandparents
• At School: Teachers, the principal, lunch helpers
• In the Community: Police officers, doctors, bus drivers

Reinforce that different helpers assist in different situations.

Step 2: Helper Matching Activity (10 minutes)

Show a picture of a situation (e.g., a child feeling sick). Ask students: “Who can help in this situation?”

Guide them through matching helpers to problems. Encourage students to think and respond aloud before you reveal the correct answer.

Examples:

• Feeling sick? → A doctor or nurse
• Lost a toy at school? → A teacher
• Need help tying shoes? → A parent or older sibling

This activity builds problem-solving skills by reinforcing cause-and-effect thinking.

Step 3: My Helpers Worksheet Activity (15 minutes)

Distribute the “My Helpers” worksheet.

• Explain: “You will look at different pictures and decide which helper is the best person to ask for help.”
• Walk around and assist students as they work, asking why they chose each helper.
• Encourage them to talk through their reasoning, building confidence in their decision-making.

Step 4: Role-Playing & Discussion (10 minutes)

Now, make the learning interactive with pretend play.

• Act out scenarios where a child needs help.
• Let students take turns being the helper and the person asking for help.
• Reinforce that some problems have more than one possible helper.

Example scenario: “If you can’t reach something on a shelf, should you ask a police officer or a teacher?”

Encourage critical thinking and decision-making.

Step 5: Reflection & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

To close the lesson, ask:

• Who are some helpers in your life?
• How do you feel when you know there are people who can help?
• What should you do if you’re unsure who to ask for help?

End with: “There are always people ready to help you! If you’re unsure, just ask a grown-up, and they will help you figure it out.”

Want More? Access Additional Free Resources!

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Here’s an example video modeling lesson for teaching problem-solving from our curriculum: