How do I get myself into these situations?

I am probably of no help to you but I have always thought teaching kids about dogs is a good idea. All the things you suggested I agree with, especially asking to pet a dog and how to pet a dog properly - not on top of the head, etc. Also, depending on how much time you have in your curriculum, to get across respecting dogs, they're living, breathing creatures, not wind-up toys for their entertainment and they're not disposable. That is one of my issues I deal with when other people's kids come to my house and want the dog to play. I think it's great you're doing this. Please post on how it went.

Preschoolers might be old enough to understand about how to approach, etc but any concentration they might have is going to go out of the window when they see the dog, lol...they will all likely simply stare or squeal and want to touch...and really won't be listening.
 
IF you want to talk I'd suggest leaving the dog til last, crate it, etc. Bring a book with pictures of dogs and maybe a large stuffed dog so they can 'practice' how to say hello to the doggy. They will likely enjoy this...don't use big words...and try not to scare them...rather tell them that some dogs are 'shy' and others are 'too excited' and they may either run from then or hide or JUMP on them...
 
Emphasize asking their Mommies and Daddies BEFORE the go up to a dog and NEVER to go to a dog without a person holding a leash. Show them a leash and a collar...make sure they know dogs eat, sleep,play, talk, and have feelings just like they do.
 
Nick Jr who's target audience is about 3-6 has a WONDERFUL resource on their site you might check out and emulate...
[link>http://www.nickjr.com/shows/pup/index.jhtml]http://www.nickjr.com/shows/pup/index.jhtml[/link]

Toddlers adore simple things, especially physical things or things they can participate in.  They are also pretty quick to learn things.  If you tell them in simple terms the things a dog needs, they will be able to answer or repeat back.  If you can do the various dog safety things  (how to pet, how to make like a tree, whatever) by taking turns in small groups, they will eat that stuff up.

Working with Toddlers at daycare we were taught that visual aids worked best when teaching new things to small ones.   That was a good suggestion about bring a large stuffed dog with you as more of a practice dummy before bring in the real thing.  Remember teaching small ones think more on their level.
 
I wish you good luck!!!!!!

houndlove - just wanted to wish you luck tomorrow!
 
When my daughter was young - about 3 or so, a neighbor down the block, who for all purposes was a complete stranger had 2 dogs, a samoyed and a westie.  We would walk around the block every night, and the dogs would be out.  "Can we pet the dog"  "No, we don't know the dogs"  was a typical exchange for most of the summer.  At the end of the summer, the dogs owner was actually out with the dogs, and my daughter was so excited, because now she could ask if she could pet the dogs.  The owner responded  very nicely, and in PERFECT terms for my 3-year old.  She answered, " You can always pet the samoyed, she loves to be petted, but don't ever pet the westie because she is a crabby dog."
 
For years after that, when my daughter would ask if she could pet a stranger's dog, she would always first if she could pet the dog, and second if the dog was crabby.
 
I am very thankful for the neighbor who explained that one of her dogs was a crabby one, because that was a term my daughter related to.

The akc has (or used to have) a package for this sort of thing.  I know it's a little late for this visit, but I'm sure there will be more.

Hi everyone! We had a great time at the preschool this morning and I wanted to thank you all for your replies. Because it was such short notice and I do have an actual day job, I wasn't really able to get too much together in the way of materials. I was hoping there'd be someone there outside the classroom who could hold Marlowe for a few minutes while I just went in by myself and prepped them, but no such luck. I was just led right into the classroom with 12 eager 4 year olds!
 
But, I think I got across a couple really important points. Always ASK before petting a dog, WAIT for the answer, and then let the dog come to you before petting it gently on it's back. Stay away from dogs' mouths, don't pull ears or tail. Then we practiced on Marlowe and they all did great and were all very gentle. Then we talked about how dogs are a lot like people, how they have a eyes and a nose and ears and a mouth (with big giant teeth! I showed them Marlowe's chompers and there were many ooh and ahhs) and dogs also have feelings. Then I let them help me feed Marlowe (everyone got to put a few pieces of kibble into his bowl). Marlowe's sort of an impressive eater (he's a hound, he bolts!) so there were more oohs and ahs. We talked a little about what to do if a dog growls at you, and I sent them home with our shelter's "How to be a dog-safe kid" bookmarks. We also had some free time just for them to play with Marlowe and pet him and ask questions. It went really well and they really enjoyed it. Marlowe was awesome (though a little weirded out by the really slippery tile floor and he did a couple face-plants) and was on excellent behavior. He is totally unfazed by screaming running freaking-out little kids.
 
I definately am taking notes on all your answers for when I develop an actual formal written-down program for the shelter.

Makes me think about that song about crossing the road.
"First you stop, first you stop
Then you look, then you look
Then you listen..... what for?
For the cars, beep beep
And the buses, honk honk
And the bikes, dingalingalingaling"

[] Songs are a great way to remember things and get a message across. Even in high school we used to make songs and poems about the things that were to be in our next test. It's a lot easier to remember something when it's linked in your memory to a tune or a rhythm.

Hi HoundLove,
 
Sorry but I mised your post until now.  The format that you followed is exactly what we do at etsmart for our foster dog showings.  A presenter, a dog, and then dialogue.  I am surprised you got to present so much material.  The kids are always attentive but eventually get all over the dog and boy do they ask the questions.   It had to be great experience for you.