Introduce the subject of cats well in advance of the animal's visit to the classroom. Discuss features and personalities of a cat including different cat breeds, typical cat behaviors (sleeping, grooming) and typical cat likes (stroking) and dislikes (getting wet).
Talk about how to care for a cat properly. Make a list of the types of foods that cats like to eat. Explain why owners don't need to bathe cats. Ask the children to share their own observations of their own cats or cats that belong to neighbors, friends or relatives.
Read books about cats. Some interesting and age-appropriate books about cats for preschoolers include "Leo the Magnificat," "Blumpoe the Grumpoe Meets Arnold the Cat," "The Cat Who Lost His Purr" and "Six-Dinner Sid."
Display pictures of cats throughout the classroom, tell funny stories about cats and show videos that feature cats to provide a gentle but thorough introduction. Some videos that feature cats that preschool children may enjoy include "The Aristocats" and "Cats and Dogs."
Check the children's medical records to ensure that none of the children have allergies or sensitivities to cats. If any children cannot stay in a room with a cat, plan to introduce the cat to the children outdoors and keep the children with sensitivities away from the cat.
Bring a cat in a cat carrier to visit the classroom. Bring a cat that you know has a gentle personality. Give the children time to get used to the idea that there's a cat in their classroom. Allow the children to pet the cat one at a time. Point out different aspects of the cat's physical appearance, such as its whiskers, fur and tail. Discuss how the cat's body allows it to climb and jump.
Follow up the cat's visit by reviewing the information that the children learned about cats. Make a list that sums up the different information that the children learned about cats, or allow the children to draw a picture of the cat that visited the class.