HOW CAN YOU TEACH YOUR CHILD ABOUT TIME?
Children cannot understand the concept of time at the level of adults in their early childhood (0-6 years) and experience various problems in this regard. When we say to a child in this age group that you need to get ready in 10 minutes, we hear that he either gets ready very quickly and asks the question “Isn’t 10 minutes over yet?” or we get ready slowly and say “10 minutes isn’t over yet” even after 10 minutes are over. Both situations show us how inexperienced children are in the concept of time in their early childhood.
So why is it so hard for kids to understand the concept of time? The most important reason for this is that children do not have the capacity to think abstractly in the 0-6 age period, the concept of time becomes a very abstract definition for them. Therefore, it would be wrong to expect children to perceive and understand the concept of time very quickly.
The kindergarten years are also the most important part of the early childhood period. For this reason, it is one of the duties of parents to give your child the necessary information about the concept of time and to gain the necessary experience.
What Can You Do?
When giving your child time for any of his activities, try to explain on the clock. Use the terms “big and small” for the minute and hour hands when explaining, and make the description as concrete as possible. (For example; when the little one reaches 9, it will be time to go to bed. If your child does not recognize the numbers, show the number with your hand)
You can buy an hourglass for your child. The hourglass may attract more attention, which will make your job easier.
You can get a calendar to hang in her room (especially try to pick the ones whose leaves can be plucked day by day, because tearing calendar leaves is one of the things that children enjoy the most). Keeping track of each passing day on the calendar will be a fun activity for them as well as helping them learn the concept of time.
Mark special days such as birthdays, New Year’s Eve, holidays and try to calculate with your child how much time is left for those days at regular intervals. Do not forget that such an activity will also make your child practice counting.
Try to establish certain routines in your child’s life, the better you follow these routines, the more you will help your child understand the concept of time. (For example; 21.30 is set as bedtime for your child and your child must be in bed at this time)
Together with your child, you can prepare a weekly plan for him. Following the weekly plan will also interest him and make it easier for him to learn the days of the week.
The most important thing to remember is that when planning your child or giving him time for an activity, try to set the time as well as possible, otherwise the activity you are doing will cease to be instructive for your child and will start to bother him. In addition, remind your child of the necessary time during the activity so that your child does not encounter a situation like not being able to finish the activity!!!