Introduce children to the Pilgrims with literature. Fill your classroom library with different Pilgrim-themed picture books. Titles to consider include "The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving" by Ann McGovern, "The Pilgrims of Plimoth" by Marcia Sewall, and "The Story of the Pilgrims" by Katharine Ross. Read them aloud to children and invite children to look through the books. Discuss the events that happened in the books. Ask children questions related to the stories; for example, ask them how they would feel if they were Pilgrims or what they think it would have been like to be at the first Thanksgiving. Have children illustrate pictures of Pilgrims after reading the stories and invite them to share their pictures.
Sing a simple song with preschool children to teach them about the Pilgrims. The song is sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star":
Little Pilgrim dressed in gray
On that first Thanksgiving day.
Little Indian dressed in brown
Came to visit Plymouth Town.
They both came to eat and pray
On that first Thanksgiving day.
Have children dress as Pilgrims and American Indians while singing the song and perhaps have them perform it for a Thanksgiving celebration in class.
A quintessential part of the Pilgrims' attire was a large white collar. Create construction paper versions of these collars with your students. Cut a large piece of white construction paper into a circle. Cut a slit into the middle of the circle and cut another circle in the center of the paper. Punch a hole in either side of the slit that was cut down the center of the paper and string a piece of yarn through each hole. Place the paper around necks of children and use the yarn to tie it in place, creating a large white collar.
Have a Thanksgiving feast in class. Make different dishes that are traditionally associated with the holiday: corn, cornbread, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and, of course, turkey. Invite family members to come to class to celebrate a Thanksgiving feast on one of the days leading up to the holiday. During the feast, discuss the importance of the holiday and the role that the Pilgrims played in developing this American holiday.