Geared Learner's Clock

Activities

Introduce the general concept of time into everyday conversations and activities, from age 4. Example: You wake up at 7 o’clock. Lunch is at 12 o’clock. Bath time is at 6 o’clock.

At age 5 children begin with number recognition and sequence. They should be able to read the hour and half-hour markers on an analogue clock and draw corresponding times as well.

From age 6, your child should further develop number sequence and the understanding of quantity. The more comfortable a child is counting (initially from 1 to 12 hours and later from 1 to 60 minutes) the easier telling time will become. A child who masters the five-times table will find telling time in five-minute increments simple. The understanding of quarter past/quarter to will also be easier.

Have your child draw their own clock-face. Begin with the labelling of the hours 1-12. Get your child to practise the forward and backward counting of these numbers. Have your child count out loud the number of marshmallows to match each one of these numbers.

The instruction leaflet included with each Geared Learner’s Clock contains more suggestions and activities for you.