Teaching Children Their Phone Number

Every parent wants to protect their child and I am no exception.

At this point in her life (at this particular developmental level), Kylie has very few self help skills.  So, my husband and I have been discussing how to teach her these skills in a way she will understand and in a way she can remember.

Kylie has auditory processing issues (basically this means that when you speak to her, it takes her a long time to grasp what you are saying. When people talk to her, she processes it like Charlie Brown's teacher: Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah) Therefore, Kylie is a more visual learner.

However, Kylie also has a GREAT memory, so we knew if we could find a way to make the information be appealing and catchy there would be a better chance for her to retain that information.

So.... we wrote a little song to help her learn our phone number (specifically mom's as I am the more available- to- come- at- a- moment's- notice- parent).  

As you will notice from the pictures contained in this post, Kylie has always had a fascination with "the phone".

Multi-Tasking at its best!!

For the sake of privacy, I will type our phone number like this:  XXX-XX X6 (the last number IS a 6 in our phone number and that is the number I used to rhyme with.  If your number is something different, you might want to choose a different phrase that rhymes with that ending number)

For example: If the last number of your phone number is a 3, you might want to take out "I dial the phone like this" (which rhymes with 6) and instead sing "She'll listen for my ring" (which better rhymes with 3). 

Rest assured, either way works fine.  It is the repetition and beat of the song that helps them remember.

The song is to the tune of "Here we go 'round the Mulberry Bush"  (click the link so you can hear how the tune sounds if you are unsure.  A youtube video will play) - the words are different though.  They are as follows:

Verse 1:
When I get sick, I call my mom
When I get sick, I call my mom
When I get sick, I call my mom
I dial the phone like this...

XXX-XX X6 (sing the #s to the same tune as above)
XXX-XX X6
XXX-XX X6
It starts with XXX (insert your area code)

Verse 2
When I need hugged, I call my mom
When I need hugged, I call my mom
When I need hugged, I call my mom
I dial the phone like this...

XXX-XX X6 (sing the #s to the same tune as above)
XXX-XX X6
XXX-XX X6
It starts with XXX (insert your area code)

Verse 3:
When I get lost, I call my mom
When I get lost, I call my mom
When I get lost, I call my mom
I dial the phone like this...

XXX-XX X6 (sing the #s to the same tune as above)
XXX-XX X6
XXX-XX X6
It starts with XXX (insert your area code)

Verse 4:
When I'm afraid, I call my mom
When I'm afraid, I call my mom
When I'm afraid, I call my mom
I dial the phone like this...

XXX-XX X6 (sing the #s to the same tune as above)
XXX-XX X6
XXX-XX X6
It starts with XXX (insert your area code)

Verse 5:
When I need help, I call my mom
When I need help, I call my mom
When I need help, I call my mom
I dial the phone like this...

XXX-XX X6 (sing the #s to the same tune as above)
XXX-XX X6
XXX-XX X6
It starts with XXX (insert your area code)

Verse 6:
I call my mom, say "I love you"
I call my mom, say "I love you"
I call my mom, say "I love you"
I dial the phone like this...

XXX-XX X6 (sing the #s to the same tune as above)
XXX-XX X6
XXX-XX X6
It starts with XXX (insert your area code)

My personal strategies for teaching the song:
When I was teaching this song to Kylie, I never asked her to sing with me.  Instead, I utilized blocks of time when I knew we would be together and took the opportunity to entertain my daughter by performing the song.

So... I sang as I drove us to therapy each day.  I sang as I scrubbed her in the bath.  I sang as she brushed her teeth.  I sang as she sat on the potty.

and guess what??? pretty soon I heard her singing the song while she was playing. 

and then guess what??? When I would ask Kylie what her phone number was she could answer. 

And when I asked her what her phone number started with, she would tell me our area code!!!

It was exciting!! 

I never sat her down and seriously told her "We ARE going to learn this, now LISTEN UP"... nope... I just sang in her presence - repeatedly. 

Kids "work" like that!  A child works through play.  The more you make something a game, the better they will learn it. 

If you have puppets- use them!  If you have play phones- use them! If you have blocks with numbers on them- use them.  If you have a dry erase board- use it! (I think I have made my point.)

Also be sure to have LOTS of positive reinforcement.  "Catch them" doing something good and give lots of clapping, hugs and "yay" responses.  My daughter constantly reminds me "Daddy will say 'I'm so proud of you' "  ... and she is right.  He tells her that all the time! 

Teaching doesn't have to be serious, boring, dull or heavy. In many cases, Teaching is Being
(together, available, and an example)

I'd love to hear how you have taught your children safety skills (especially their phone number).  Please also let me know how it goes if you use this song!  I hope I'll get to hear from you!

Happy Teaching!