How to teach your child about telling time

Time is a tricky concept to wrap our heads around, even as adults. So, it’s no surprise that teaching a child about telling time can be a challenging task. However, it doesn’t have to be all serious.

With a bit of creativity and a dash of humour, you can make learning about time an enjoyable experience for both you and your little one. So, grab your child’s favourite toy clock, and let’s dive into the world of time-telling in a fun and informative way!

When to start teaching your child about time

Children can start learning about how to tell time as early as three years old, although they may not fully understand the concept until they are closer to five or six years old.

At this age, children have a better understanding of numbers and can start to recognise patterns in their daily routines, such as when they eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

However, every child is different, and some may take longer to grasp the concept of telling time than others. It’s important to be patient and encourage your child along the way, regardless of their age or progress.

Benefits of learning how to tell the time

Learning how to tell time can have numerous benefits for your child’s life.

• It can help them develop a sense of structure and routine, allowing them to plan and organise their day better.
• It can improve their time management skills, helping them to understand the importance of being punctual and meeting deadlines.
• It can enhance their problem-solving abilities, as telling time requires them to identify patterns and calculate time intervals.
• It can boost their confidence and independence, as they can tell time without relying on others for assistance.
• It can prepare them for future academic and social situations that require time management skills, such as timed tests and extracurricular activities.

5 Tips on how to teach your child about telling time

Start teaching your child how to tell time and they’ll be the ones reminding you when it’s time to go to bed!

1. Start with the basics

For your child to understand how to tell the time, they first need to understand the concept of time. Start by talking about time in a general sense, such as “morning,” “afternoon,” and “night”. You can also use a timer to show your child how long a minute or five minutes is.

2. Use a clock

Introduce your child to an analog clock with hands. This will help them understand the concept of time passing and how it’s represented on a clock. Start by showing them the numbers on the clock and explaining that the small hand represents the hours and the big hand represents the minutes.

3. Play games

Make learning about time fun by incorporating games into your child’s daily routine. For example, you can play “What time is it, Mr. Fox?” where your child has to guess the time based on your clues. You can also use a toy clock and ask your child to set the time to specific hours.

4. Use visual aids

Visual aids can help your child understand the concept of time better. You can create a chart or a poster that shows the different hours of the day and what activities happen during those times. You can also use flashcards to teach your child the different parts of a clock.

5. Practice, practice, practice

Repetition is key when it comes to learning how to tell time. Encourage your child to practice telling time throughout the day, such as when they wake up, during meals, and before bedtime. As your child becomes more confident in telling time, you can start asking them to tell you the time without any visual aids.