Pre-K Students Learn About Community Helpers with Hands-On Exploration

Kent Place’s Pre-Kindergartners have been busy with an exciting unit on Community Helpers, discovering the many important roles that make up our neighborhoods and campus. Students have been learning about a variety of professions — from firefighters to construction workers — and the tools and responsibilities that come with each job. 

In October, as part of Fire Safety Month, members of the local fire department visited the children to speak about their work and the importance of fire safety — and to show off their equipment and firetrucks. In the classroom, this learning came to life through imaginative play: Students built fire trucks in the block center, dressed up as firefighters, and even “put out” alphabet flames in the sensory station.

On November 3, Matthew DeLaRosa, Kent Place Director of Campus Operations, accompanied the class to tour the site of what will be the Leadership Center for Athletics, Wellness, and Performing Arts. Construction began in June 2025 and is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The students lined the fence enclosing the site to get a closer look at bulldozers, cranes, and construction workers in action. Mr. DeLaRosa talked about the process of bringing the Leadership Center to life, then answered a host of questions. After all, it’s not every day that anyone could witness the construction of what will be a remarkable building — from the moment a shovel breaks ground to the day it opens — right outside a classroom.

“When children stand at a construction site, they don’t just see machines and dust — they see dreams taking shape, and realize they can build anything, too,” says Mr. DeLaRosa.

Back in the classroom, these hands-on experiences are helping the students make meaningful connections as they design their own dream houses, build from blueprints, and create floating cities.

“Learning about construction tools, materials, machines, and blueprints has enhanced our unit study,” says Pre-K teacher Shaunna Banning. “All of these wonderful experiences will culminate in a Pre-K-produced Community Helpers movie, where the students will research different community helpers, dress up, and teach us about their roles.” 

Great work, Pre-K! Learn more about Preschool at Kent Place here.