Клуб любителей английского языка

It has always been difficult for children to grasp the concept of time. Time is abstract and intangible. It seems to have nothing to do with everyday activities. But parents keep looking at clocks and watches and insist on getting things done. Done on time.

There is a time for work and a time for play.
We haven't got time for that right now.
We're pressed for time.
Time is running out.
Let's do it next time.

- that's what my daughter hears from me about time. The other day it suddenly dawned on me that all that is not bringing her to the best of terms with time. So I decided to take a different approach.

I cut out a cardboard circle and divided it into four segments. I covered each of them with a different coloured paper. I printed out numbered circles and glued them along the perimeter of the clock face at equal intervals. Then I made hands and asked my husband to screw them in the middle of the clock.

Now that we have the clock, our conversations about time have changed completely. Every time Dasha asks me questions beginning with "When" or "How long", I can refer to the clock:

We are leaving in 30 minutes. It makes two quarters, the red one and the yellow one. So when the long hand looks down, we have to be dressed ready to go out.

We can do some planning as well:

Now it is 11.30. While the hand is passing the blue quarter, I'm going to wash up and you're going to put your toys in their places. Getting washed will also take us one quarter, the green one. So we can be in bed at 12 o'clock sharp.

My daughter has evidently become more organized. And I've been happy to notice that more things get done in one day.

I am eager to know what you do at home to let your children grasp the concept of time?