Discuss with your child that it takes one hour of time for the big hand to move all the way around and back to the same place.
This activity develops:
  • More awareness of the numbers 1-12
  • Awareness of a clock, time and hour
  • Awareness of the spatial positions of the numbers on a clock
  • Application of big and little and long and short
  • Awareness of clockwise
Lessons from Children’s Books

In the same way that many of the activities connect to the alphabet letter being introduced, the activities in the latter half of the Age Four section hinge on the content of a beloved children’s book. 

​The mini lessons that go along with these books develop pre-reading and practical skills that connect with the content of each book.  Often a myriad of activities are suggested in each lesson. 

​Parents and teachers are free to spread out these activities over several days if needed.  Have conversations with your child about the books you read aloud together to remind each other about the stories and the lessons learned. 

Age 4 - Activity 27
​The Clock

P R E V I E W

You will need:
  • Penny for tracing
  • Large paper plate
  • Sharpie
  • Cardboard or manila folder
  • Brass paper fastener
  • Paper plates
  • Masking tape

Set up:
  1. Use the penny to trace twelve small circles around the inside edge of the paper plate.
  2. You can make the circles evenly spread out if you begin with the 12 and 6, then the 3 and 9, and finally fill in the rest.
  3. Label the circles 1 to 12 for the numbers on a clock.
  4. Draw and cut out two clock hands from the cardboard or manila folder (one longer than the other).
  5. Fasten the hands with a brass paper fastener to the center.

Two kinds of clocks:  Have a conversation with your child about how there are two kinds of clocks: an analog clock and a digital clock.  Show the child the difference between these clocks.
 
Hours on a clock:  Discuss with your child that the shorter hand points to the hours on a clock.  Count the hours on the clock together. 
  • Which hand is longer?
 
Model for your child how to point the hour hand of the clock towards the number of the hour in the day to represent the time.  For instance, instruct your child to show you 1 o’clock with the clock.  If he or she does not understand, model it for him or her again and then give your child a try!  (Keep the longer/minute hand on the 12 until your child has the idea of an hour, before introducing him or her to the minute hand).

Clock on the floor activity:  Mark off 12 spaces with masking tape on the floor in a large circle on the carpet.  Allow the child to help you count out twelve paper plates or sheets of paper.  Encourage the child to tell you what number to write on each plate, which should have the numbers 1 to 12 written on them.
 
Plates for hours on a clock:  Ask the child to help you place the paper plates in the correct order on the masking tape pieces around the circle to create a clock.  These pieces may then be secured with masking tape.
 
“Be the hour hand”:  Allow the child to walk around clockwise using the paper plates as stepping-stones.  The child should be encouraged to say the correct number as he or she steps on each numbered plate.  The child can then lie down on the floor and point his or her “hands” toward the hour that he or she wants to represent on the clock!

Enjoy this activity?
Slow and Steady Get Me Ready for Kindergarten has even over 50 activities for children age 4!

Other Activities You Will Find in the Age 4 Section

Introduce the letter Xx by making a play xylophone out and pluck the strings to make a sound!
Make a seasons wheel and learn about the characteristics of each by reading The Little House.
Read the story Corduroy and learn about money management through saving, spending, and giving.

We would love to hear from you!

What are some of the Age 4 activities that you have tried with your child?
Proudly powered by Weebly