Learning to Tell Time on the Light Table

Ah, clocks. They are a passion for my five year old, but sometimes they are the source of frustration for me (see this is hyperlexia). However, we still like to do activities to encourage his love of telling time, such as this simple clock light table activity. Plus, this activity was a great way to introduce telling time to three year old K, not that he got to play with it much...

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Light Table Activity: How to Teach Kids to Tell Time

Here's what you'll need to recreate this clock light table activity at home:

• 1 clear plastic plate - I got mine from the dollar store.
• 12 clear plastic shot glasses - These were also from the dollar store.
• Black permanent marker
• Colored transparent sheets - Quick tip: look for colored transparent folders or duotangs at the dollar store and cut them up for light play!

Draw the hours on the clear plastic plate using the permanent marker like you see pictured below. Label the bottom of the shot glasses to show the corresponding minutes (from 00 to 55). You'll then need to cut out a minute hand and an hour hand to finish off the clock. I chose two different colored transparencies so that it was easy to differentiate which hand was which. Not that J struggles with that (thank you, hypernumeracy).

"Oooh, a clock, mom!" J literally squealed with delight when he saw this light table invitation. First, he arranged the cups around the clock.

Then we practiced telling time. I would tell him a time and then he would position the hands accordingly. We also did some 24 hour clock practice since he likes that kind of thing. He's more of a pro at 24 hour time than I am!

Other Ideas You'll Love

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Hundred Chart Patterns on the Light Table from Still Playing School

Train Your Brain Number Trails from Frog in a Pocket