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By Emily Parker
Updated: June 14, 2021
Originally Published: March 19, 2021
In today’s digital age, many children rely on gadgets to keep track of time, but it’s still essential for them to learn how to read a clock. Mastering this skill, like learning to tie shoelaces, is a one-time achievement that can be enjoyable too! You can use your own wall clock for practice or purchase a simple clock from a store. Although it might feel challenging at first, finding the right approach can make the learning process much smoother.
Many elementary-age kids have smart devices that inform them when it’s time for meals or to leave school, which can make them less eager to learn traditional time-telling. However, wall clocks remain common in classrooms and homes, and lacking this skill could hinder their development.
Teaching your child how to tell time can be a delightful experience! All it takes is a few creative games to make learning more engaging.
Fun Games for Learning Time
Education.com offers numerous free online games designed to help kids grasp the concept of time. You can also create your own games at home. For instance, take a clock and ask your child to adjust the hands to show specific times.
Another fun idea involves dice. Roll two, and ask your child what time might be represented by the numbers. For example, rolling a six and a two could indicate either 6:10 or 2:30.
If the weather permits, create a giant clock outdoors using a hula hoop and chalk. Let your child draw a clock face inside it. Depending on their size, they can act as the clock hands as you call out different times, or you could use it as a large visual aid.
You can also encourage physical participation by drawing a large clock on the ground without any hands. Have a few kids represent the hour hand while others represent the minute hands. When you say a specific time, have two children position themselves accordingly to demonstrate that time. This interactive approach can make learning less intimidating for them.
Another activity involves cutting out paper watches with various times on them. Place one on each child’s wrist and have them walk around documenting each other’s times. The child with the most correct answers wins a prize! They can even personalize their paper watches, as long as the watch face remains visible.
To reinforce the concept of different times, assign each child a specific time. Move the hands on a large clock to the corresponding times and have the child perform a dance move when their time is displayed. This connection between actions and numbers can aid memory retention, and repeating this process ensures a better understanding.
Effective Teaching Strategies
Before you introduce the clock, ensure your child can count up to 60, as understanding minutes is crucial. Practicing counting by fives is also vital. Once they grasp these concepts, learning to tell time will be significantly easier. Additionally, your child should be familiar with how the day is divided into morning, afternoon, and evening.
While some children may use the sun to gauge the time of day, this method can be unreliable, especially with Daylight Saving Time.
Setting Realistic Expectations
According to MathGenie, the teaching process should ideally begin around age five, focusing on the hour and half-hour markers. It would also be beneficial for them to learn 15-minute increments, but this may take time to master.
Avoid introducing Roman numerals too early, as it can confuse them. Although some clocks use these numerals, this skill is more advanced and should not be the primary focus when first teaching time.
Patience is Key
As parents, we often forget how challenging learning something new can be. Mastering this skill might take your child some time, but practice makes perfect. Once they learn to tell time, it’s a skill that will stick with them for life. Keep the experience enjoyable, and be ready to casually quiz them as they gain confidence. For instance, when you’re out, point to a clock and ask them what time it is. Eventually, all the pieces will come together in their minds.
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In summary, teaching kids to tell time is a vital skill that can be both enjoyable and rewarding. With the right methods, games, and a little patience, your child can master this skill and gain confidence in their ability to manage their time.
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