Learning to Tell Time with Young Children
Easy Time-Telling Educational Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers
Aug 10, 2008
More than just understanding numbers on the clock, the concept of time helps kids learn about sequences, daily routines, calendars and general numeracy skills. Before kids can read time on a clock, they can often comprehend that activities happen in a flow or sequence such as the past, present, future, before or after. They can also see that days are broken down into schedules and that days add up to months and years. By building on these concepts in fun and interactive ways, parents can help their preschool children learn how to tell time.
Make a Paper Plate Clock
Make a clock using a paper plate and construction paper hands attached with a brass butterfly fastener. Show the kids how to print the numbers 1 to 12 around the outside edge of the clock and help them attach the hands in the centre of the plate.
Create a Picture Schedule
Have the kids draw pictures of themselves doing routine parts of their day, such as brushing teeth, eating lunch or watching a favourite show. Next to the picture, write what time this activity normally happens and post the picture where the kids can see it. Kids will begin to associate time with the schedule of their day.
Make Paper Chains
Typically made to count down the days until Christmas, extend this easy craft to other special events throughout the year. Simply made by stapling loops of paper together, kids begin to connect the passing of each day as getting closer to the special occasion by removing one loop a day.
Play with Homemade Flashcards
On rectangular pieces of construction paper, print digital time on one side and clock face time on the other. Demonstrate to the kids how both methods show the same time of day. Play a game with the cards to see how many they can guess correctly.
Use a Calendar
Mark passing days on a calendar or talk about days of the week using an interactive calendar that has Velcro pieces which kids can manipulate. To demonstrate how calenders and clocks work together, show kids how to use a daily planner.
Time Activities
Set alarm clocks and timers to see how long it takes to complete an activity such as cleaning a room or finishing a meal. Record the times on a sheet of paper so children can process the numbers by seeing them.
Read a Book
A Second is a Hiccup by Hazel Hutchins [Arthur A. Levine Books, 2004] and The Grouchy Lady Bug by Eric Carle [HarperCollins Publishers, 1996] are recommended books for introducing the concept of time to students.
Play Online Interactive Games
Apples4theteacher.com has a number of interactive games that are simple enough for preschoolers to play with the help of a grown-up.The website also has a link to nursery rhymes that have time themes.
When doing crafts and activities to learn to tell time, kids begin to understand the concrete flow of their day and are able to anticipate activity changes on their own. As an important school readiness skill, they can also see a practical application of numbers and varying counting patterns. For more information on school readiness activities read Easy Back to School Crafts for Preschoolers.
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