My grandson is almost 3 1/2 & was watching a "rescue heros" movie where a boy called 911 when his house caught on fire. He asked me what that was, & i explained it to him. We have practiced a few times on his play phone with me playing the operator. He says "help help" & then gives his name (we are working on the address) my question is.....is there anything out there to actually practice on????
Yes there are things to practice on. An unplugged phone works great, but I prefer this book http://www.amazon.com/Its-Time-Call-911-Emergency/dp/1591... my son is only 16 months old, but he loves playing with this book. The key pad only responds when 911 is entered and when this is done an operator answers. The book explains when to use 911 and when not to use it. It is less than $8 and worth every penny. Great job and good luck!
I bought the book the previous poster mentioned. "It's time to call 911" It has a dial pad on it and when you press the correct numbers a siren sounds and a man says "911! Let's go!" It gives emergency scenarios throughout the book as well to help explain a real emergency. My daughter reads it every day, though we are still struggling w/ the address thing as well.
Not thatI know of, but I would continue with the play phone idea while explaining to your grandson that the real phone should be used if anything bad really happens But, ONLY, if and when a real emergency should happen.
The question is....does a 3 1/2 yo really understand what a REAL emergency is? Such as grandma is really sick, OR my toy car is stuck in the bathtub drain......LOL
You are a VERY Blessed Lady. I hope that I can do the same for my grandkids. But for now...my own kids are my life.
Have you tried calling your local public safety center - often times they have classes for kids.
Good Luck
L.
An old fashioned corded phone unplugged from the wall!
What a great thing to start teaching! Here is a link to some helpful pointers.
http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_teach-preschooler-di...
I think its best to teach him on a phone similar to what he would be expected to use. You could really drive home the 911 so he can remember it for any phone... or use the 'emergency' symbol button which is on alot of cell phones or get a sticker for your home phone which will speed dial 911 on a certain button. However you do it will be helpful should he be around when someone needs help! Great work!
Your doing a great job! What a lucky grandma he has. We just got an alarm system and even though my 7 and 4 year old know to dial 911, they now have the "extra" option to hit the button on the key pad. They know it's not a toy and the police will come and "take their piggy bank" money away for a false alarm. We are trying to keep our kids "involved" with knowing what to do in an emergency. Again, I think it's great. I would use old cell phones, play phones just to understand what's going on.
Hi C.. There is a children's board book which I highly recommend. It illustrates different emergency situations and has a practice keypad. I have seen it at Babies R Us, or you could probably find it at any bookstore. Be sure the child knows that if he/she is using a cell phone for the call, they must push the "green button" or hit "send"!
Good luck, I hope he'll never need to call it! :-) W.
