The past few months I’ve been teaching my 3-year-old the alphabet. During the letter N week, we worked on numbers, specifically on how to call 911 in case of an emergency.
If your child has a clear understanding of numbers and letters, they’re probably at the perfect age to start learning what to do in the event of an emergency. In conjunction with learning how to call 911—on my smartphone—I’m also teaching little J how to call Mommy or Daddy in case of an emergency.
Related: How to Teach Your Toddler the Alphabet
Just like anything, repetition is the key to teaching something new to a toddler. We worked on calling 911 and Mommy and Daddy all week, and I’ll continue to sprinkle related activities in our lesson plans.
Check out some of the fun and playful ways to Teach Your Child How to Call 911 (on your smartphone):
Post-It Play
Write numbers and letters on post-it notes to replicate the phone keypad. Place them up a wall and have your toddler practice pushing the “buttons” to call 911 or Mommy and Daddy’s phone number. Don’t forget the emergency and call button.
Chalk Play
Draw out in chalk the numbers on the phone keypad. Remember to include the emergency button and call button. Let them stomp it out!
Songs
One of my son’s favorite YouTubers is Blippi so everytime we learn about calling 911 we repeat a line from the Police Car Song. “If there’s ever an emergency, call 911 and the police will come driving in their police car!”
Check out the video here.
Number Matching
Use a strip of poster board to write your phone number in permanent marker. Write or print your number on a separate piece of paper. Laminate for repeated use. Cut numbers out and use to match.
Download this worksheet from One Mom and a Blog to help your toddler practice calling 911 and Mommy and Daddy’s phone number. Use Do A Dot markers. Note: I handwrote in Emergency and colored the call button green to help reinforce important these steps.
Crafts
Related: Tips for Shopping with Toddlers
A very important step that cannot be forgotten when Teaching Your Child How to Call 911 on your smartphone is teaching them to press the call button! This is a step that, once upon a time, before smartphones, wasn’t needed. Now, almost everyone I know, including myself, doesn’t have a home phone. Most families only have smartphones so it’s important to remember to teach your child to press the big green call button after dialing 911 or any other phone number.
This is also a good lesson to implement during the letter E week—for what to do in an emergency.
When your child is ready, let them practice on calling Mommy and Daddy on your phone. And remember to continue reminding them how to call 911 in case of an emergency.
Don’t forget—repetition is the key!
Related: Letter A Lesson Plan for Preschoolers
What creative ways have you tried to teach your child how to call 911? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.
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Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!
When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
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