Select the symbols that you plan on teaching. Choose symbols for tribes that you've already discussed in class or symbols that have a great deal of overlap among different tribes. Select five symbols for things and ideas that children already know and can identify. This way, you're only teaching them how to draw the symbol, not the concept behind it.
Select symbols that consist of shapes that kids can already draw and which are very simple. For example, at the pre-school age, most children can already draw circles, triangles and squares, so choose symbols based on those shapes.
Draw the native American symbol for "big mountain" on the board slowly. Ask students what they think it symbolizes. If students are stuck, mime the action of climbing a mountain.
Show students how the shape is actually three overlapping triangles and draw it again slowly. Ask students to copy it. Walk around the room as students recreate the symbol, providing help and guidance.
Draw the Native American symbol of a horse. Elicit from students what this picture could symbolize. If none of the students volunteer a horse, mimic the action of riding a horse or neigh like a horse to draw the action out of them.
Show students how the Native American symbol is actually a large rectangle for a body, a smaller rectangle for a head and short lines symbolizing the legs. Draw the horse one more time slowly and ask students to copy it. Walk around the room as they do, providing guidance and help.
Continue in this manner to teach other simple Native American symbols such as the teepee, the arrow, or the sun.