Lesson Plan
Trusty Helpers Lesson Plan
Introduce Pre-K children to the concept of trust through interactive songs, storytelling, and cooperative games, enabling them to recognize trustworthy actions and practice trusting peers.
Developing trust early supports social-emotional growth, promotes cooperation, and builds a caring classroom community.
Audience
Pre-K
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive songs, storytelling, and partner activities
Materials
- Helping Hands Story Cards, - Trust Builders Song Audio, - Trust Tokens (Colored Counters), - Trusty Helper Apron Printable, and - Trusty Certificates Printable
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Print and cut out Helping Hands Story Cards.
- Print one Trusty Helper Apron Printable per child.
- Print and prepare Trusty Certificates Printable.
- Gather Trust Tokens (colored counters) in a container.
- Load or cue up the Trust Builders Song Audio on your music player and test volume.
- Review all materials and story flow as needed.
Step 1
Welcome & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Gather children in a circle and introduce the word “trust.”
- Explain: “Trust means believing someone will help or keep you safe.”
- Play the beginning of the Trust Builders Song Audio.
- Encourage children to clap or sway along and repeat simple lyrics.
Step 2
Story Time Activity
8 minutes
- Display each Helping Hands Story Cards to the group.
- Tell a short story about friends sharing and helping each other.
- Ask questions: “How did Mia show trust? What did Sam do to help?”
- Invite 1–2 volunteers to act out trusting moments (e.g., handing over a toy).
Step 3
Trust Fall Pair Work
10 minutes
- Pair children with a partner and demonstrate a gentle trust fall.
- Child A stands rigid; Child B stands behind ready to catch.
- Practice with teacher support: Teacher stands by each pair for safety.
- After each fall, switch roles so every child practices both sides.
- Debrief: “How did it feel to fall? How did it feel to catch?”
Step 4
Trust Tokens & Apron Game
5 minutes
- Give each child a handful of Trust Tokens (colored counters).
- Explain: When someone shows trust or helps, we place a token in their Trusty Helper Apron Printable.
- Teacher models placing a token for helpful behavior (e.g., sharing crayons).
- Invite children to notice and reward trustworthy actions among peers.
Step 5
Reflection & Certificates
2 minutes
- Circle up and ask: “Who did you trust today? Who trusted you?”
- Hand out Trusty Certificates Printable to celebrate each child’s participation.
- End by singing the final chorus of the Trust Builders Song Audio together.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Trusty Helpers
Exploring Trust through Play, Stories, and Songs
Audience: Pre-K | Time: 30 minutes | Tier: 1 Classroom Lesson
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that today we’re going to learn about “trust” through fun activities, stories, and songs. Point out our objective: to recognize trustworthy actions and practice trusting our friends.
Welcome & Warm-Up
- Introduce the word “trust” and its meaning
- Play the beginning of the Trust Builders Song Audio
- Encourage children to clap or sway and repeat simple lyrics
Gather children in a circle. Ask: “Has anyone heard the word ‘trust’ before? What do you think it means?” Explain: “Trust means believing someone will help or keep you safe.” Then play the first verse of the song.
Story Time Activity
- Display the Helping Hands Story Cards
- Tell a story about friends helping and trusting each other
- Ask guiding questions:
• How did Mia show trust?
• What did Sam do to help? - Invite volunteers to act out a trusting moment
Show each card one at a time. Tell the short story about Mia and Sam. Pause after each card to ask: “How did Mia show trust?” and “What did Sam do to help?” Invite 1–2 volunteers to come forward and act out one trusting moment (e.g., handing over a toy).
Trust Fall Pair Work
- Pair up children
- Demonstrate: Child A stands rigid; Child B stands behind ready to catch
- Practice with teacher support at each station
- Switch roles so everyone falls and catches
- Debrief with feelings: “How did it feel to fall? To catch?”
Demonstrate a gentle trust fall with another adult or a volunteer. Remind children to keep their bodies stiff and safe. Monitor each pair closely for safety and encourage positive feedback.
Trust Tokens & Apron Game
- Give each child a set of Trust Tokens (colored counters)
- Show the Trusty Helper Apron Printable
- Explain: place a token in a friend’s apron when you see trustworthy/helpful actions
- Invite children to reward peers for sharing, waiting turns, or helping
Distribute Trust Tokens. Explain that when they see someone helping or trusting, they place a token in that friend’s apron. Model placing a token for a helpful action (e.g., sharing crayons). Walk around and prompt children to notice trustworthy actions.
Reflection & Certificates
- Discuss: “Who did you trust today? Who trusted you?”
- Hand out Trusty Helper certificates
- Sing the final chorus of the Trust Builders Song Audio
Gather the group back in a circle. Ask: “Who did you trust today? Who trusted you?” Celebrate each response. Hand out the Trusty Certificates Printable. End by singing the final chorus of our song together.
Keep Building Trust!
Great job, Trusty Helpers!
Continue to look for ways to help and trust one another every day.
Praise everyone for participating and encourage them to keep noticing trustworthy actions throughout the day. Remind them that trust builds strong friendships.
Activity
Helping Hands Story Cards
Use these story cards to discuss moments of trust and helping. For each card:
- Show the image or read the scenario aloud.
- Ask: “How did ___ show trust?” and “What did ___ do to help?”
Card 1: Holding Hands
Scenario: Mia wants to cross the “river” drawn on the floor. She reaches out her hand and asks Sam to help her. Sam holds her hand and walks with her safely across.
Questions:
- How did Mia show trust?
- What did Sam do to help?
Card 2: Stacking Blocks
Scenario: Alex builds a tall tower of blocks. He lets Lily add the last block. Alex trusts Lily not to knock it down.
Questions:
- How did Alex show trust?
- What did Lily do to help?
Card 3: Passing the Toy
Scenario: Sam has a toy car. He trusts Mia to move it gently when he hands it over.
Questions:
- How did Sam show trust?
- What did Mia do?
Card 4: Catching the Ball
Scenario: Lily throws a soft ball to Alex. Alex trusts Lily to throw it softly and catches it easily.
Questions:
- How did Alex show trust?
- What did Lily do?
Activity
Trust Builders Song Audio
Use this simple song to help children learn and celebrate trust. You can teach it to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “The Wheels on the Bus,” whichever is easiest.
Lyrics
Verse 1 (tune: Twinkle, Twinkle)
Trust, trust, I trust you, yes I do,
Trust, trust, I trust you, yes it’s true.
When you help me every day,
I can count on you all the way,
Trust, trust, I trust you, yes I do.
Chorus (tune: Wheels on the Bus)
Building trust with my friend,
On each other we depend.
Hand in hand, we work and play,
Trusty Helpers every day.
Verse 2 (tune: Twinkle, Twinkle)
If we share and if we care,
We will always safe be there.
Trust is special, strong, and true,
Just like me trusting you,
Trust, trust, I trust you, yes I do.
Teacher Instructions
- Choose a familiar melody (e.g., “Twinkle, Twinkle” or “Wheels on the Bus”).
- Teach the verse first, singing line by line and having children repeat.
- Add simple hand motions:
- Point to eyes when you say “I trust you.”
- Hold hands when you sing “hand in hand.”
- Introduce the chorus after the verse is learned.
- Encourage children to clap or sway along to the beat.
- Play or sing the song at the start and end of the lesson to reinforce the concept of trust.
Activity
Trusty Helper Apron Printable
Use this apron as a wearable token collector during our Trust Tokens & Apron Game. Each child wears their apron and peers place a token in the pocket when they notice trustworthy behavior.
Template & Cutting Instructions
- Print this page on cardstock or heavy paper.
- Decorate the apron with crayons, markers, or stickers.
- Carefully cut along the solid border to form the apron shape.
- Punch a hole in each top corner and tie a piece of yarn or ribbon through each hole to create straps.
- Fold and glue the pocket edges along the dotted line to secure the pocket.
Apron Outline
/
/ TRUSTY HELPER
| |
| __________________________ |
| | | |
| | Place Trust Tokens | |
| |______________________| |
| |
\ /
________________________/
Activity
Trusty Helper Certificate
This certificate is awarded to:
______________________________
(for child’s name)
In recognition of showing trust and helping friends in our class.
Congratulations, Trusty Helper!
Date: _______________
Teacher: _______________________