Messy and unpredictable spaces are chaotic. Young children will not know where toys and supplies belong and even more importantly, they may not know if they belong. Our Little Helper classroom job chart for preschoolers sets expectations, creates order and builds community in your classroom.
By inviting children to contribute to keeping the space organized, clean and safe, your environment will support both the health and the wellness of the children. Research has validated that when children have experiences where they contribute to their community and have opportunities for shared responsibility, they have a much better chance for success, not just in school but throughout life (Henderson & Berla, 1994).
No worries if your kids (and maybe you) have been stuck in rut with some poor habits when it comes to cleaning up. Even if it is the middle of the week, you can still start fresh today. It is never too late to start with new expectations. Children love to help and we should let them.
Life skills can be included in the daily routine of the classroom by creating small tasks that children can feel pride in doing. Be sure to share this routine with families and ask what jobs their children help with at home.
What classroom jobs are appropriate in preschool?
Here are some classroom jobs that are perfect for preschoolers, offering them opportunities to contribute while keeping things simple and fun. Consider these job titles and descriptions:
- Line Leader – Leads the class when walking to different areas.
- Caboose – Stays at the end of the line to ensure everyone is together.
- Snack Helper – Helps distribute snacks and clean up after snack time.
- Weather Helper – Looks outside and shares the daily weather with the class. Adjusts the weather station piece at Circle Time.
- Table Washer – Wipes down tables after activities or meals.
- Recycler – Puts any recyclables in the recycling bin.
- Pet Caretaker – Feeds or checks on classroom pets (if applicable).
- Garbage Patrol – Spots garbage and is responsible for picking it up.
- Calendar Helper – Adds the calendar piece to the calendar and leads counting the days of the month.
- Light Keeper – turns off and on the lights as needed.
- Door Holder – Holds the door open when the class leaves the room.
- Plant Caretaker – Waters classroom plants.
- Book Helper – Organizes books in the reading area.
These jobs can rotate weekly, allowing all children to participate and develop responsibility.
Create a job chart.
Create your own job chart or use the Little Helper set pictured. The Little Helper job chart is included in your Experience Preschool Curriculum Getting Started kit or you can download it below. Use classroom job titles that are useful for your class. Create any additional jobs that you might need. If desired, print the child’s name on a clothespin for children to clip onto their chosen job, or make job envelopes and children slide in their name tag.
How to Introduce the Classroom Job Chart
- During large group time, demonstrate and teach each classroom job to the children. Take turns practicing and demonstrating the job.
- Then, assign one job per child for the whole week. Explain the child’s role in the classroom to both the child. You can do this verbally or visually by making pockets for each job and inserting the child’s name stick.
- Rotate the jobs weekly so everyone gets to try all classroom jobs.
- Be consistent. Announce who is doing which job every morning and make time to model and do the jobs.
Be excited.
Your energy will be contagious to the kids. Explain that you have an idea about making the room the most beautiful of all preschool rooms and need their help starting today. Invite children to join you in having a special job every day.
Download the I’m a Little Helper Classroom Job Resource
As you build ownership within your classroom, you can also encourage children to take initiative in the ongoing cleaning and maintenance of the room.
Before leaving your room to go to the gym, playground, library, music room, or anywhere else, make sure to gather the children to help you pick it up and put everything back where it belongs.
Create your classroom job station. For preschoolers, you can use clothespins to create a Helping Clothespins or Worker Wands-style job station.
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