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Our National Emblems – Infants 2 Social Studies

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Every country has special symbols called national emblems. They show who we are and make us proud. Let us meet the emblems of Trinidad and Tobago!

The national flag

The flag of Trinidad and Tobago: red with a black band edged in white from corner to corner
Our national flag. Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributors, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Red: the warmth of our sun and the energy of our people.
  • White: the sea around us and that all people are equal.
  • Black: the strength and hard work of our people, and the riches of our land.

The national birds

A bright red scarlet ibis sitting in a tree
The scarlet ibis, national bird of Trinidad.
Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A brown bird with a long tail sitting on a branch
The cocrico, national bird of Tobago.
Francesco Veronesi from Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The national flower

Bright red chaconia flowers on a plant
The chaconia. It blooms around Independence Day in August. Photo: Albert Sydney, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

More emblems

  • Coat of arms: shows the scarlet ibis, the cocrico, hummingbirds and three ships, with our motto “Together we aspire, together we achieve.”
  • National instrument: the steelpan, invented right here in Trinidad and Tobago!
  • National anthem: it begins “Forged from the love of liberty…”
  • National pledge: a promise to serve our God and our country.

How to behave for the anthem and pledge

  • Stop what you are doing and stand up straight.
  • Stand still, arms by your side. Take off your hat.
  • Do not talk, eat or play.
  • Sing or say the words clearly and with pride.

TRY ITEmblem match

Choose a game. Tap your answer.

Let’s practise

Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.

1. Name the national birds of Trinidad and of Tobago.

Show answer

Trinidad: scarlet ibis. Tobago: cocrico.

2. What is the national flower?

Show answer

The chaconia.

3. What does red on our flag stand for?

Show answer

The warmth of the sun and the energy of our people.

4. What is the national instrument?

Show answer

The steelpan.

5. Give two ways to behave during the anthem.

Show answer

Stand still and straight, take off your hat, do not talk, sing with pride.

Quick check

1. What is our motto?

Show answer

“Together we aspire, together we achieve.”

2. How does the anthem begin?

Show answer

“Forged from the love of liberty…”

3. Why do we have national emblems?

Show answer

They are symbols of our country and make us proud.

Words to know

Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?

national emblem · flag · coat of arms · scarlet ibis · cocrico · chaconia · steelpan · anthem · pledge · motto

Try it at home

  • Draw and colour the national flag. Say what each colour means.
  • Practise standing correctly while you sing the national anthem with your family.
  • Look for the coat of arms on coins, documents or buildings. Where did you see it?

For parents and teachers

After this lesson, your child should be able to:

  • name the national emblems of Trinidad and Tobago
  • match each emblem to its name and picture
  • describe how to behave during the anthem and pledge

The meaning of the flag colours is given here in simplified child-friendly wording. A visit to see scarlet ibis at the Caroni Swamp at sunset is a memorable family trip.

Previous: The Food I Eat
Next: Independence Day and Republic Day

Attributions to media used in this post:

Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg – Wikimedia Commons contributors – Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) roosting.jpg – Charles J. Sharp – CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rufous-vented Chachalaca – Tobago 99 0054 (15532129981).jpg – Francesco Veronesi from Italy – CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Chaconia Flower, Trinidad (Warszewiczia coccinea).jpg – Albert Sydney – CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.

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