What's a good educational clock for toddlers? ( 3-4 years old)?

Question

I was asked by someone to look for an educational clock for their kid. Any recommendations?

Answer 1

I've used the Judy clocks.  They are nice and durable.

I've also used the paper plate method but find that they don't last long and the brads make it difficult for the kids to move...especially with preschoolers.

I've found foam clocks at the dollar store with dry erase areas.

For that matter it doesn't need to be an "educational" product...just a cheap clock that the kids can move the hands with.

I disagree that 3-4 year olds shouldn't "work" with clocks.  :-)  It's a part of life.  Though we don't expect them to tell us that it is 1:37...it's a great way to introduce numbers.  Every home has a clock.  It intrigues the children.  One of the observations I made in some wonderful preschool programs was that in the dramatic play area was a clock that the children to work/play with.  

Good luck!

Answer 2

First, the "standard" is the "Judy" clock. Amazon has one in the market place for 9.99.



BB SET BIG JUDY CLOCK

Other products by Frank s******r

Price: $9.99  

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Wizard of Math.

Only 2 left in stock--order soon.  

However, most children of 3-4 are nowhere near ready to use a clock.  It's standard curriculum for second grade (7 yrs old).  There's nothing wrong with a child playing with a toy clock, as long as the adults don't try to make the child learn to use it correctly.

Sorry but I cant help but help you with the term toddlers  - it's usually used for one and two year olds.  Threes and fours are considered preschoolers.  (Years and years of early childhood coming out. I hope you don't mind the unasked for help.)

Answer 3

www.ttsgroup.co.uk -i think they have a good one in their ICT brochure.

Otherwise what we have is:

-a basic clock with bell alarm...its at childs height so they can watch it, touch it etc. they figure out how to make alarm go off and can fiddle with moving the hands...then adult just resets it later!

Answer 4

you dont need to spend big $$$ on fisher price stuff! give the old paper plate clock a go!  (made with a paper plate and split pin)

second, you may want to mention that even in the primary school syllabus time (as in reading the time on clocks) doesnt get a mention until year 3ish... at this childs age its usually 'morning, afternoon, night' and recalling what happens at different points in the day....

Answer 5

I agree with a few people here. Time is such an abstract concept for children. Trying to teach them about time on a clock before they are developmentally ready for it is going to be frustrating. I am not sure about other states, but in SC, we start teaching time in K5. In this grade they learn to tell time to the hour (3 o'clock, 10 o'clock, etc). In first grade, it increases to the half hour and hour and in second grade it includes hour, half hour and quarter hour.

If this person is determined to introduce the concept of telling time to their child, there is a Judy clock that will show the time as the hands are moved around the clock face.

Here is the clock I am talking about:

http://www.abcteacher.com/catalog/pages/...