Coaching children on how to tell the time is never easy, and educators often have to find new and exciting ways of teaching this essential life skill.
Most teachers will know that explaining how to tell the time can be a tricky task that leaves many pupils confused and frustrated, and will be on the lookout for anything that can make life easier both for them and the youngsters they’re schooling.
With the new academic year hot on the heels of August, getting the classroom set up is often a key priority at this time of year. Whether it’s colourful cues or engaging stickers, there are plenty of learning methods that appeal to children. One of the key time teaching resources we think should be in all classrooms for the 2017-18 academic year is our EasyRead Time Teacher Past & To Classroom Wall Clock.
This handy little number offers a simple three-step teaching system that’s based on the ‘past and to’ method, and has a silent hand that glides around the clock rather than ticking – perfect for the classroom environment where it doesn’t take much to distract children. You can use this clock in three easy steps, as outlined here.
If you’re a teacher yourself, you might be wondering what else you need to prepare for your impending return to school to go smoothly, and whilst we are sure you all have your own tried and tested back to school routines, don’t forget that when it comes to teaching the time, EasyRead Time Teacher are here to help.
Children often learn better when resources are used, whether it’s flashcards and pictures or videos and songs. At EasyRead Time Teacher, we’ve developed a whole range of time teaching resources that can help you teach children how to tell the time, why not take a look?
If you’re a teacher or work in a school and are interested in how we can help you teach children to tell the time, you can call us on 01684 566832, or email us here.
Being able to tell the time comes so naturally to most of us, that we’ve probably forgotten ever learning how to do it. But the truth is that it can be a confusing thing for children to master, that takes time and dedication.
At EasyRead Time Teacher, we believe that learning to tell the time should be fun and as straightforward as possible. Here, we share our top tips for helping youngsters on their way to success:
Invest in a learning resource
Our expertly developed Rainbow Past and To Wall Clock is the perfect way to help children learn to tell the time, thanks to a three-step system that teaches the ‘past and to’ method, which is common in the UK. Unlike other noisy clocks on the market, it has a silent hand that glides around the clock rather than ticking, perfect for quiet environments such as classrooms and bedrooms.
Children can use this time teaching clock to tell the time by following three simple steps:
- Read the number at the end of the long hand
- Say ‘minutes to’ if it’s pointing to the red side of the clock, or say ‘minutes past’ if it’s pointing to the green side
- Read the number at the end of the short hand. Like this: 8…minutes…2.
Voila!
Reinforce that time is chronological
In order to be able to tell the time, it is important for children to understand how doing it relates to the past, present and future. By helping a child link events in their lives to the times they take place, it reinforces the notion of time as a linear and structured measurement.
You can do this by using time related vocabulary such as ‘minutes’ or ‘o’clock’ when you are talking to your child about their schedule as this can help them begin to understand what they are doing and at what time that normally happens.
Use songs and art
Songs and rhymes are used to help children remember lots of things, and telling the time is no different. Sing songs about time, like ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’ and make up rhymes that may help them remember ways of telling the time.
Art can also be an effective educational tool for children, so making a clock and decorating it with things that happen at different times can be a fun and engaging activity that aids the learning process.
Check out our range of expertly designed products that can help you teach telling the time in a clear and easy way. If you would like any further information on our range, you can call: 01684 566832. We also sell our products in Australia and the USA, for contact details, please see here.
