Telephone Basics
911 Emergency skills
Month 8 · Activity 25 · Lifeskills
Instructions
- Chat about emergencies - no adult around to help if sick, bleeding, fire or smoke, etc.
- Show on a play phone how to dial 911
- Roleplay with an adult being the 9-1-1 responder and asking for names and why they need help. Guide child in stating the “facts” to get help quickly
- Watch this video for tips in using 9-1-1
- Decide on phrasing you want the child to say when answering any phone call. For example, “Hello this is Elissa (child’s name) or the Smith (last name) house. May I ask who is calling?” Chat about what a child should tell a caller - if a parent is at home, any personal information, etc.
- Teach a child to say Good-by at the end of a conversation
- Teach the child that a phone is a tool for communication and not a toy
Simplify
This is an activity that can rehearsed and practiced many times and at different ages of a child
Click here for ideas to role-play telephone conversations
Extend
Reverse roles and let the child be the 9-1-1 responder asking you the questions
QUESTIONS FOR CHILD
Talk about a time that you were a part of an emergency. How did you feel?
Why is knowing to call 9-1-1 in an emergency helpful for you and others?
Materials
- play/plastic phone
Language Skills
Math & Science Skills
Motor Skills
Social Skills
Problem Solving Skills