Preschool: Learning Time-Telling

Since we are learning numbers in preschool, I thought it would be a great idea to introduce the concept of time.  I bought a really cool clock puzzle which allows the child to link the numbers on the clock. 

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Here are some great introductory activities for learning about time: 

1. Advanced Prep: I took a small notebook and wrote a number on each page to make a number reference book. Why did I write only a number on each page? Little kids learn through simplicity and struggle with confusing and new concepts. So I wrote the numbers on a separate page each to show how each number progresses one after another. It's a great visual aid. I plan on adding small corresponding pictures (i.e. dots, stars, etc.) with the number to enhance the visual aid.

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2. We discussed the concept of time by talking about things like day/night, evening/afternoon, tomorrow/today, before/after, now/later, etc.

3. We read a really cool book about time called "The Clock Struck One: A Time-Telling Tale" by Trudy Harris.

4. We sang the poem "Hickory Dickory Dock" together.

5. We went over the numbers by reading them out loud on the clock and on the number reference book. Then we identified the numbers by matching them to corresponding pictures on the clock puzzle. 

6. We practiced some more by placing the numbers in a number line. 

7. Finally, we matched the numbers on the number reference book to the numbers on the clock puzzle and solved the time puzzle.

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Learning to read time is a handy skill to have and the only way to learn is through loads of practice.

Good luck! 

Annie