Why learning about time matters
For young children, understanding time is an essential skill that helps them develop a sense of order, predictability, and responsibility. Learning about the sequence of daily activities, days of the week, and basic time concepts provides structure to their day and builds early time-management skills.
At the kindergarten level, kids are not yet expected to read clocks or tell time precisely, but they can begin to recognize time-related vocabulary and grasp concepts such as morning, afternoon, evening, and night.
Key concepts in time and daily routines
1. Understanding morning, afternoon, evening, and night
Children begin by learning how the day is divided into different parts:
Morning: The start of the day, when we wake up, eat breakfast, and get ready for school.
Afternoon: The middle of the day, when the sun is high, children have lunch, and engage in play or learning activities.
Evening: The transition from day to night, when families eat dinner and start winding down.
Night: When it gets dark, bedtime routines begin, and children go to sleep.
Learning tip: Use a simple visual schedule with sun and moon symbols to show different parts of the day. Ask children questions like, “When do we eat breakfast?” or “When do we go to bed?” to reinforce learning.
2. Learning the days of the week and months of the year
While children may not fully grasp the concept of a full calendar yet, they can start learning:
The seven days of the week (Monday through Sunday)
The difference between weekdays (school days) and weekends (rest/play days)
The twelve months of the year and special events that happen in each month (e.g., holidays, birthdays, seasons)
A fun activity: Sing the classic “Days of the Week” song (to the tune of “The Addams Family” or another catchy melody).
An interactive idea: Use a calendar with colorful visuals to mark important days (e.g., birthdays, holidays, vacations) so kids can relate to real-life events.
Recognizing a clock
At this stage, children do not need to read time but should begin recognizing:
A clock face and its hands.
That clocks and watches help us know when things happen.
The difference between morning times (AM) and evening times (PM)
Hands-on activity: Let kids play with toy clocks by moving the hands while you say, “Let’s pretend it’s time for lunch!” This helps them connect time to real-life activities.
Routine-based learning: Emphasize routines by saying things like, “When the little hand is on 7, it’s time to wake up!” This introduces early clock-reading concepts.
Fun activity: create a daily schedule with pictures
Objective: Help children understand their daily routine by creating a visual timeline.
Materials needed:
Large sheet of paper or a whiteboard
Markers or crayons
Stickers or labels, either with printed or hand-drawn pictures of daily activities (e.g., eating, sleeping, playing, brushing teeth)
Steps:
Draw a timeline from morning to night.
Add pictures or drawings representing different daily activities (e.g., a sun for morning, a moon for bedtime).
Label activities such as breakfast, school, nap time, playtime, and bedtime.
Discuss the routine with your child, helping them understand what happens at each part of the day.
Hang it in a visible place so they can refer to it daily.
Final thoughts
Understanding time and daily routines helps young children feel more in control of their day, reduces anxiety about what comes next, and lays the groundwork for early time-management skills. By making learning interactive and visual, parents and teachers can turn time-related concepts into engaging and meaningful lessons for kindergarteners.
