What child doesn’t want to be a pirate at some point or another? If you are in the lucky position of being able to shape young swashbucklers’ minds in a school setting, then there are a number of things you can do to bring the pirate fantasy to life in ways that are both fun and educational. Need some ideas for inspiration? Here are some great suggestions for how to create a cool pirate themed classroom:
Geography lesson. How do you get young children interested in geography? With a pirate’s map, of course! Create a large, old-timey map out of brown butcher paper by simply wrinkling the paper up, burning the edges (and even some holes throughout the map for authenticity), and inking out all the continents. Hang the map and have children take turns tracing out their voyage paths for destinations of your choice.
Lunch on the high seas. Use a wood plank table and benches for seating in the dining area. It should be relatively easy to make the set yourself, with some ingenuity and some basic woodworking tools (just be sure there are no splinters!).
Toy storage. It goes without saying that keeping toys clean, organized, and accessible is a very important aspect when space planning for a preschool classroom. To keep with the pirate theme, attach fishing nets to walls and/or ceilings, arranging them into easy to reach sacks and pockets for simple, viewable toy storage.
Creative play. There’s no question that preschoolers (and pirates!) love to be creative in their play, and dressing up is one of the best ways to bring out their imaginations. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to find pirate “costumes” or even a pirate shirt on the cheap. You don’t need fancy knickers and vests. Some eye patches and waist ties will go a long way when it comes to helping children play the part. Don’t forget the stuffed parrots!
The treasure chest. One great way of rewarding children for good behavior is to allow them to choose something out of the treasure chest at the end of the day. Simply purchase inexpensive toys from the Dollar Store or Family Dollar, and load them into a thrift store chest.
If you teach preschool-aged or young children, then you know that one of the most important things you can do to keep their attention and promote an interest for learning is to provide an environment that naturally encourages them to use their imaginations. When it comes to providing inspiration, you really can’t go wrong with creating a pirate themed classroom. These ideas are sure to thrill kids of all sizes and types.
About the Author: Ludivina Bessemer loves teaching preschoolers and works hard to create an interactive, fun environment they can enjoy throughout the school year.