Your child might learn to read the clock at school, but how to show your child how to read the clock in your language?
Allowing children to learn about the time and how to read the clock is an important contribution to their growing independence.
Especially for multilingual families showing your child how to read the clock in your language is something only you can do.
Creating a clock with your child is a wonderful opportunity to speak your language and to boost your child’s vocabulary in a fun and playful way.
Here is a simple DIY Learning Tool you can create out of a pizza box.
STEP 1 > Cut out a circle from cardboard
Take a pizza box or another type of cardboard. Trace and cut out a circle. The easiest way is to use a plate to trace the circle.
STEP 2 > Add numbers to your clock
Add numbers from 1 to 12 to the clock. This is a great exercise for your child to divide the clock in halves – quarters and then write the numbers. Help as needed.
Your child might also want to add lines for the minutes.
STEP 3 > Add clock hands
Cut out a longer and a shorter clock hand from colored paper (or white paper that you the color).
Fix them on the clock with a clip (paper fasteners work best).
Remember? It’ s all about the process. It does not have to be perfect or beautiful.
Through the simple fact that your child contributed making it. you will see how much your child will take ownership of this activity and start asking what time it is.
This is where you can start showing your child how to read the clock in your language.
Start with the full hours. First showing and naming.
Then ask your child to change the clock hands for 2 o’clock, 3 o’clock etc.
Finally, you place the clock hands on a different full hour and ask your child what time it is.
Once your child is fully confident with the full hours, continue with the half hours, quarters and finally minutes.
It’s helpful to see it as a process and not to rush. Take your time and go back to this activity over several weeks to cover hours, half hours, etc.
How to get started with Playful Learning
In this FREE 3-Day Video-Course I am showing you the first steps you can take to stimulate and engage your child in playful learning activities at home without tantrums and without any materials you have to buy.
Hi, Nice to meet you
Learning and growing up with multiple languages does not have to be hard work. I am Maria, a mother of 3 kids, an development and education expert and Montessori homeschooler. Having lived as a family over ten years in Africa and Asia I know exactly how challenging it can be to get access to high quality educational activities. With my step-by-step playful learning method, I am showing you how to raise little happy multilingual learners with limited time and only using local materials.
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