There is no doubt that it is necessary for us to teach our children to tell time. Learning to tell time will teach your child much more than just how to read a clock – it will also teach them many important math skills such as the proper sequence of numbers and counting by fives. To teach your child this important skill, you need a way to make them interested in the skill and show them that it’s something they’ll be able to use every day.

Children idolize the adults in their lives, especially when they are very young, so the younger they are when you teach them certain skills, like telling time, the more enthusiastic they will be to learn. If you take the time to teach your child how to count properly, then telling time is the next natural step to take.

The secret to any successful lesson is to make it fun for the kids. Start off by showing them the difference between the big hand and the little hand on the clock. Then explain the difference between minutes and hours. You will then want to explain to your child how every number on the clock represents a five minute period of time. It helps if you have a clock model with movable hands, which can be found at discount stores or bookstores. You can even count by fives on a clock that you or your child has drawn out on a sheet of paper or poster board.

A great way to keep your child interested in telling time is to offer goodies for being right. So you could tell your child that if he lets you know when the clock reaches 2:30 p.m. and he’s correct, then you’ll take him out for ice cream or some other spot that he really enjoys.

Children learn best when they are able to work with adults who make the time to work with them on a one-on-one basis. Taking advantage of technology when teaching or reinforcing your child’s knowledge in telling time is great too. A quick Google search will provide a long list of websites, computer games and DVD’s that will help teach a child how to tell time.

Another fun yet educational product you might want to consider for your preschooler is the Teach Me Time clock. Childrens alarm clocks are a terrific way to help your child learn how to tell time and know when it’s appropriate to get up in the morning.

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