How can I teach my preschooler to tell the time?

Time is mind-boggling to a four year-old. She remembers you saying that she should brush her teeth for a minute, and yet on the other hand, you might tell her to give you a minute while you are talking on the phone - we all know that this could take more than a minute! You need to give your child accurate estimates to help her understand the concept of time.

If you are taking a walk around the block with your child, ask her how long she thinks it will take for you to complete that walk - have a stopwatch with you to record exactly how long it takes. If you are sending your child to her room as punishment, tell her how long she has to stay in her room, and set a timer. The same applies to TV time or time on the computer. Let her help to set the timer - it will give her an idea of how long she is on for.

While playing games as well - you can teach your preschooler to tell the time. For instance, you can ask her how long it would take her to run around the garden, or how long it would take her to find a puzzle piece.

Cooking and baking as well will also give your child a good idea of time. You can let her help you set the timer for those cookies and then watch through the oven to see how long it takes them to bake.

More questions

Our little one is in preschool. Is this a good time to get a family dog?

There is no right or wrong age to get a family dog; however, you should be mindful of your situation before you rush into things.

Encouraging imagination and creativity: how do I do it?

Your child’s imagination is not only a source of fun – it’s one of his or her most important early learning tools.

Telling lies: what to do when my preschooler tells a clear cut lie?

When you catch your preschooler telling a lie, it is natural to be worried. Parents may feel that when their child lies, it reflects on their parenting abilities.

How should I react when my child tells a lie?

When you catch your preschooler telling a lie, it is natural to be a bit upset. A parent may think that when their child lies, it reflects on their parenting skills.

My child is putting everything in his mouth. How can I stop this?

It is natural for an infant to put everything in their mouths. They are exploring shape, texture, and taste. Many children will continue this behaviour up to preschool years.

What should my preschooler be able to do by this age?

It must be understood that boys are known to develop slower than girls. Each child is different, and as long as your child is developing and progressing at a steady pace, then you have nothing to worry about.

How does development affect my 33-month-old's awareness of others?

When nearing their third birthday, children display more interest in other the moods and emotional states of people around them.

At 31 months, what important developmental signs should I look out for?

31 month olds are developing fast, and they’re learning a lot about more abstract concepts now – although that may result in some difficult to answer questions for you!

My child is 29 months old. What major developmental milestones should I watch for?

As your child nears the mid point between his or her second and third birthdays, there are several developmental milestones you can expect.