At what age should you absolutely learn time? Cunning and intelligent games

Although sometimes we would like not to be glued to time, we must admit that we cannot do without. For children, the concept of time is complex and even more when they cannot read and understand the figures on a clock.

At the time of all digital, it is still very important that they learn to read the time. But then, how do we do it? And from what age can we start?

Natural impregnation for 3 years: the first temporal understanding

From the age of 3, children begin to grasp the notions of morning, afternoon, today, tomorrowAnd do you ask questions like “When is it in 5 minutes?” “Or” do we eat when? “At this point, learning comes mainly from concrete markers (meal, school, to bed) in everyday life.

From 4 to 5 years: the first benchmarks with figures and hours

About 4-5 years, the child begins to recognize the figures up to 12 and can show a sincere interest for the moment. It is time to start it with simple tools: analog watch, Montessori watch, temporal radius or timer, which lay the foundations of Numbering and time

From 5 to 6 years: readings of complete hours and half an hour

About 5-6 years, some children are ready to learn to read the hours full (eg 3 in the morning) and sometimes half an hour (for example 5:30). This step requires familiarity with the base 60 (minutes) and two -digit numbers (up to 30). Teachers sometimes begin formal learning in elementary school, often from CP (about 6-7 years).

6-7 years: consolidation of one hour and minutes quarters

For 6-7 years, the child has been refining his understanding: he learns to identify the fourth -ra (For example: 7:15, 7:45) and to read the intermediate minutes by identifying the dial. The educational toolbox widens: educational watch with colors, educational dials and watches such as Flik Flak, who personify the needles to facilitate understanding.

7-9 years (CP-CE2): full-time control (analog and digital)

For 7 years, especially in Ce1/Ce2, children are generally able to do it Read the exact hour (precise minutes, 12h/24h formats). The school program formalizes this ability, with progressive exercises in day/week relationships, time/minute and reading various formats (hourglass, clock, digital clock).

Learning methods: it starts without hitches

You can start with Draw a big clock On a sheet and simply explains the difference between the small and the large needle. Show them which parts correspond to certain moments of the day and how they allow you to be in time. It is possible to add small drawings for certain hours per hour, such as a plate and cutlery in the moments corresponding to meals, an alarm for the moment of lifting, a tank for the moment to take a shower.

Also, so that the child is familiar with the concept of time, you can Ask him for time, And to follow the great needle and that of the seconds, it moves, while it does a daily activity: 3 minutes to wash the teeth, 10 minutes to cook the pasta, 30 minutes for the cake in the oven … See the seconds and minutes that will pass it at Anco is in the reality of the time that passes.

Tools to help

If you think you have difficulty explaining the concept of the time and the operation of a clock, there are also tools that can help you, waiting for your child to know more at school.

Many coloring pages are available on the net, as well as applications, to help understand how time works.

On the side of the game, the Clementoni brand has released a new tool in its range of education called “The Hour, clock and 13 mini-poof illustrated to learn to read the time” very well done, helps to start the smallest to the deciphering of the time with games and puzzles, in a fun and educational way.

But otherwise, don’t panic! Your child will quickly learn to read the time when he is ready.