Detectives often use phones to gather information. Today, we’ll use toy phones to help children recognize numbers. You may want to begin the day by reading a book about a mystery. For example, where is Corduroy’s lost button? Why would no one come to Miss Spider’s Tea Party? What if Corduroy or Miss Spider used a phone? Who would they call? Divide children into pairs. Give one child a phone and one child paper and a pencil. One child pretends to take notes for the detective. Ask them to write down a series of 4-6 numbers saying each number aloud as they write. Now the detectives will punch in or dial the same series of numbers saying each number aloud as they dial. Have children switch parts so everyone has a chance to play both parts. You may choose to switch around partners to practice saying, writing, and recognizing numbers. Check out today’s free lesson plan for other suggestions for this activity.