Something that comes up “sometimes” when you’re parenting is 9-1-1. It’s almost a taboo subject because no one wants their kid to have to call 9-1-1. However, sometimes it’s necessary. Here are some tips for teaching your child about 911.
#1. Teach your kids about an emergency
The hardest part of teaching your child about 911 is emergencies. Using 911 should only be for emergencies, but how do you relay that to a young child? Try to explain that an emergency is when someone is in life-threatening danger. Give them some examples-
- When someone is in danger.
- When an adult tells them to dial 911
- When someone isn’t breathing or they’re choking
- When it’s obvious there is a lot of blood and someone needs help
#2. Teach your kids about their address and phone number
If your child is old enough to be taught about 911, they are old enough to learn their name, phone number, and address. This information will come in handy whenever they call 911 with an emergency.
#3. Teach them about no pranks
One lesson that comes with teaching your child about 911 is to talk about pranks. For years, children have pranked the 911 number. Although they think it’s funny, it’s not. Have a conversation with your child about the seriousness of 911.
#4. Talk about what 911 does
Your child may not understand why they’re being taught all about 911. The truth is that you need to tell your child everything. Teaching your child about 911 involves letting them know that it is the number people call for emergencies.
#5. Take your kids on a tour.
To help your child better understand 911, take them on a tour. If you can’t take them to your local 911 center, the firehouse will do! You can even take your kids to the police department for tour. Some kids are visual learners, so this is a great way to teach them about 911.
#6. Come up with an emergency plan
Instead of waiting until an emergency strikes, come up with an emergency plan. Talk to your kids about what to do in an emergency. They’ll be thankful they know what to do in case of an emergency, so will you!
#7. Talk about 911 every few months
911 is something that should come up in your family every few months. It’s not something you just talk about once and forget. Think of the 911 topic as an ongoing educational topic in your home.
These are just a few ways to teach your child about 911. Remember the importance of this, and remind yourself that teaching your child about 911 is an important part of parenting.
Leave a Reply