Fab Mums

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Learn through play: telling the time

Filed under Learning by Maria at 7:36 am on Jan 27 2010

timemonsters-webshotLearning to tell the time is an important milestone for young ones, even more so nowadays that kids are equally exposed to analogue and digital clocks, which it might be a tad confusing.

I have looked at fun ways to practice to read the clock and I found a great online resource. Timemonsters is a fun website aimed at kids who are at the early stages of learning the clock. After the easy tutorials, which divide the clock in three sections, the engaging set up allows them to test their knowledge with a lot of fun games while monsters and spiders try to attack the clock. On the homepage the wizard explains in a very simple way how the website works so kids with basic computer skills will be able to operate it without any problems.  Then it goes on to teaching  the numbers on the clock, but the clock is attacked by colourful spiders that make the numbers fall off so  the children using the site  will have fun dragging the numbers back onto the clock to their correct spot with the mouse.  Then the wizard explains about the hands on the clock and half past. 

printable-playing-cardsAnother game that caught my eye is the playing cards game. There are many available on the market, but I particularly like the idea of this printable PDF file by Printable Projects on Etsy. The PDF file features a complete playing card set, a total of 54 cards (52 playing cards, 1 red joker and 1 black joker), instructions, definition of AM and PM and a Roman numeral clock. I like the fact that you can turn it into a fun project to do with your kids as you’ll actually make the game. This is the perfect option for the crafted minded children.

flik-flak-boys-watchFinally I recommend the Flik Flak watches. Not only they look great, but they are solid Swiss watches which work on a two-colour system to help kids distinguish between hours and minutes. Flik Flak watches have two sets of numbers that are also colour coordinated with the two hands. To be clear, if the minutes hand is orange, the numbers indicating the minutes are also orange so children will not get confused by hours and minutes in the early learning stages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2 Responses to “Learn through play: telling the time”

  1. 1 Lorraineon 02 Feb 2010 at 2:53 pm

    Every time I visit I find practical advice that I can literally start using right away. Colette is learning to tell time, so I’ve just noted the website. Thank you!

  2. 2 mariaon 02 Feb 2010 at 4:23 pm

    Thanks Lorraine, I’m so glad you find it useful

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