The Preschool group were fortunate enough to have a special surprise visit from Officer Brad! Although the children were not aware about his visit beforehand, we were sure they would be excited to meet him as his own son is a member of our preschool community. When Officer Brad arrived in his OPP vehicle we gathered together in the room to introduce him to the children. We had a conversation about who Officer Brad was and how police officers are important members of our community who help people and keep them safe. We encouraged children to think about what they already know about police officers and to ask meaningful questions during our visit.
Officer Brad introduced himself and began by asking a question, “When there’s an emergency what would you do?” Almost immediately, two or three children collectively responded, “Call 911” To check their understanding, Officer Brad asked another question, “Which phone number would you call?” Once again, the children answered confidently 911. One preschooler connected the conversation to a personal experience with his family and shared a story about a time when their car broke down so they had to call for help. He remembered that the police came to help them. Another preschooler expanded our conversation by mentioning other emergency helpers, including ambulance, paramedics and firefighters. Through this conversation, the children demonstrated that they were not simply repeating a number they have heard before but beginning to connect 911 with real-life situations and how the officers help them when needed.
Our conversation then turned to another important topic of staying safe. Officer Brad asked, “What is the first thing you do when you sit in a car?” The children answered together, “Buckle up!” We also spoke about riding bicycles, and when Officer Brad asked about what we should wear on a bike, the children quickly responded, “A helmet!” We discussed why it is important to follow safety rules and talked about speeding. The children agreed that we should not be speeding and it is important to follow safety rules.
After our conversation, it was finally time to explore the OPP vehicle! We encouraged the children to take turns going into the back seat where they carefully observed their surroundings, which led to many curious questions. One preschooler asked, “Why are there nets and windows in here?” and another wondered, “Do you put the bad guys in here?” Officer Brad explained that those features help prevent people from escaping. The children continued investigating the vehicle and asking curious questions like, “Do you park this car in your garage?” And “Can we hear the sirens?”. One child even looked through the window between the front and back seats, making sense of what they just saw.
We then gathered in small groups to take some photographs. The children proudly posed with Officer Brad and his OPP vehicle. Officer Brad left an informational booklet and a police sticker for each child to take home. Remembering their earlier questions about the sirens, the children got excited to hear them before he drove away. The sound of sirens brought excitement to their faces creating a memorable experience.
Our learning continued even after Officer Brad left. Later, when we asked the children what would they like to be when they grow up, many enthusiastically answered, “Police officer!” Through this meaningful experience, the children connected their existing knowledge with a real-life community experience. They demonstrated their understanding of emergency services and safety measures while sharing personal experiences, and asking thoughtful questions. Exploring the police vehicle gave them an opportunity to investigate something they had only seen from outside, while meeting Officer Brad helped them understand the important role police officers play in our community. This surprise visit became an opportunity for children to explore safety, responsibility and learn about community while viewing themselves as active and capable members.
