March 7 is Telephone Day! Stars0 reviews (Do you like this day? Rate it!)

Telephone Day On this day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for an invention he calls the telephone. The telephone was the first device in human history that enabled people to talk directly with each other across large distances. The telephone is made up of a microphone (transmitter) and an earphone (receiver) which reproduces the voice of the distant person. The transmitter converts the soundwaves to electrical signals which are sent through the telephone network to the receiving phone.

The telephone has come so far since Alexander Graham Bell invented it in 1876. Your child can learn the basics of how sound waves can travel using cups and strings! They can also make their own cell phone and practice dialing their home phone number and emergency numbers.

Books & Videos | Cell Phones | Cups & Strings |

Books & Videos
  Manners on the Telephone Manners on the Telephone by Terri DeGezelle
Explains good manners and shows how different manners and character values can be used when making and answering telephone calls. Includes information on telephone safety and calling emergency numbers.
  While Mama Had A Quick Little Chat While Mama Had A Quick Little Chat by Amy Reichert
While Rose's mother has a "quick chat" on the telephone, Rose is supposed to get ready for bed but finds she is hosting a party instead.
  We Learn About the Telephone We Learn About the Telephone
A young man sketches a generic human who takes us back through history to show us how humans developed a need to communicate and the devices to do so. Then shows us how telephones enable the modern mid-Sixties world.

Cell Phones

This activity works on number recognition, learning telephone number, and emergency numbers.
Cell Phones Cell Phones Cell Phones Cell Phones
 
What You'll Need:
 
  • Small rectangular box (i.e. Mac & Cheese box)
  • Black paper
  • Scissors & glue
  • Cardstock or cardboard
  • Child's photo (optional)

  • phone.pdf

   
How To Make:
 

1. Make the phone body - Wrap a small rectangular box with black paper (a Mac and Cheese box works great).

2. Add the face of the cell phone - Print out Phone template (see link under 'items needed'). Have your child cut out the phone face, then glue on the box.

3. (Optional) Make numbers more like buttons - Glue the extra numbers onto cardboard or cardstock, and then cut them out. Your child can match the cutout numbers to the numbers on the phone. Glue them onto the phone, or you can also use foam adhesive to give extra dimension to make the numbers look more like buttons.

4. Add dial and hangup buttons - Your child can color green for the call button, and red for the hangup button.

5. Add your phone number - From the extra numbers, cutout the numbers is your phone number. Glue them onto the side of the phone. Have your child practice dialing it, and other emergency numbers such as 911....but only for emergencies!!

6. (Optional) Add your child's photo - Print out a photo of your child and glue in the display area.
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Cups & Strings

Cups & Strings
 
What You'll Need:
 
  • 2 Plastic cups
  • Fishing wire (or string)
  • Pushpin
  • Toothpicks

   
How To Make:
 

1. Punch a hole at the bottom of each cup using a pushpin.
2. Thread each end of the string or fishing wire through the hole in the bottom of the cups.
3. Tie the end of the string to a piece of toothpick to keep the wire in place.
4. Test it out! Talk in one end while the other person listens on the other end. (It works best if the string is pulled tight).
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