Guide · by age
What Age Do Kids Learn to Tell Time?
Most children start in first grade, around age 6, with hours and half hours. Telling time to five minutes follows in second grade, and to the minute in third grade, around age 8 or 9. That's the usual school order, and many children take longer. Being behind it at age 6 or 7 is common.
What schools usually expect
The Common Core math standards used in many US states put hours and half hours in first grade, the nearest five minutes and a.m. and p.m. in second grade, and the nearest minute and elapsed time in third grade. In England, Year 1 covers o'clock and half past, Year 2 adds quarter past, quarter to and five minutes, and Year 3 reaches the nearest minute. See the map by grade.
Why it's hard
Telling time asks a lot at once. Children have to count by fives, understand fractions of a circle, and keep two hands straight, with the same numbers meaning two different things. On top of that, the words change halfway round. A child who finds it hard doesn't have a problem. It's a hard skill.
What helps most
Regular, low-pressure contact with a real clock does more than anything else. Mention the time often. Point out the hands. When the long hand gets to the 6, we'll go. Then add a little practice, a few minutes at a time, at a level that's nearly easy.
How to do it with Clockwood
- Check their level with the teaching clock: set a few times and ask.
- Play at the level just below where they get stuck. Start with o'clock if in doubt.
- Put an analog clock where they'll see it every day.
- Print the sheet for their grade.
Questions people ask
My 8-year-old can't tell time. Should I worry?
Plenty of children aren't sure of a clock at 8, especially if they mostly see digital ones. Go back to the short hand and build up. If you're worried about learning more widely, talk to their teacher.
Can a 5-year-old learn to tell time?
Many can learn o'clock, and some half past. Keep it light, and connect it to their day.
Coming soon to iPhone
We're building a Clockwood app with what needs a real app: every time read aloud, offline play, and a parent view of which times have stuck and which are still tricky. The full game stays free here on the web.
Coming soon on theApp Store