Most students today grow up with tablets, cell phones, and laptops at their fingertips. These tools can aid learning, but they can also encourage laziness. Here’s a way to teach your kids these skills.
By now your child should be able to count by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s, up to at least 200. You can make it easier to “tell time” by expanding this to include counting by 15s, 20s, and 30s, as well as counting by 10s starting at any number (7, 17, 27...). Your 9 year old should be comfortable with this.
When you stop and think about it, all points on the clock can be reached quickly by counting various combinations of 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, and 1.
Start with 5; let him explain to you the difference of 5 minutes past ten and ten minutes past ten. Use a real watch, let him move it around understand how it works.
When children are taught counting skills, learning how to tell time is a very straightforward process. Without these skills, it’s quite a chore. So build these skills!
With thanks to Mathnasium UAE. Mathnasium Al Barsha, Jumeirah, Knowledge Village, Motor City and Uptown Mirdif International City and Green Community. Visit www.mathnasium.ae or email uae@mathnasium.com.