Children of preschool or kindergarten age can learn that police officers keep them safe. One way to introduce a learning unit about police officers is to make paper police hats, which are crafted easily by small children with adult supervision. Older children who wish to play make-believe can create more elaborate versions, and the basic instructions can even be adapted to create a hat for any community worker. Change the embellishments to mimic a firefighter's or ambulance driver's hat and teach kids that police officers and other workers are vital members of the community.
Cut a strip of black construction paper that is 1 1/2 inches wide by 20 inches long. If the construction paper is less than 20 inches long, cut two 10-inch pieces and staple them together.
Draw a half-circle on the blue construction paper that is seven inches wide by seven inches tall. Cut this half-circle out for the main part of the hat.
Draw a half-circle on the black construction paper that is seven inches wide by four inches tall for the brim. Cut the brim out.
Draw a badge shape on the gold construction paper. If you need inspiration, search the Internet for pictures of real police badges. Cut the shape out, then write the name of your town plus "Police" on the badge.
Glue or staple the black strip of paper into a comfortable size for the child's head. Try the band on before fastening it, and cut off any excess paper once it is secured.
Glue the blue half-circle on the inside of the front part of the band with the curved portion pointing up.
Fold the bottom, or straight, part of the brim up by an inch. Place this folded area inside the band of the hat, then glue it into place.
Glue the badge to the front of the blue, main part of the hat.
Cut a piece of gold braid or ribbon that is as long as the brim. Glue this embellishment down securely to the place where the brim meets the band.
When you are creating the badge for the hat, make an extra one to be worn on the shirt to complete the outfit. Try making the hat in different colours and with different embellishments to represent other community workers. You could use red for firefighters or dark blue for bus drivers.
Always supervise children with sharp items, such as scissors or staplers.