Donna’s Day” A teaching clock for preschoolers

To help your preschoolers learn how to tell time on a traditional clock, make a teaching clock with a pizza pan. Personalize it with photos and drawings to remind them of the activities and chores they do throughout the day.

There’s no time like the present, so get started with these four easy steps:

“Step 1: Number from 1 to 12 around the edge of a metal pizza pan to create a baseline clock face. Use self-sticking numbers, stickers or permanent markers.

“Step 2: Collect 12 large plastic milk-jug caps and number them on the top from 1 to 12. On the backs, attach a piece of thick, self-sticking magnet (available in rolls at hardware stores).

“Step 3: Cut out two craft foam or cardboard arrows for clock hands, making one 3 inches long and the other 4 inches long. Attach magnets to backs.

“Step 4: Draw pictures or cut out snapshots or magazine photos of what your child does in a typical day.

For example: Eat breakfast, brush teeth, play outside, pick up toys, brush the dog, read a story, etc. Glue the images to small cardboard squares, attach magnets to the backs, and use interchangeably with the numbers on the clock to help your child understand what happens at different times throughout the day.

Make extra cards for activities your child might do weekly, such as “visit Grandma and Grandpa,” “walk to story hour at the neighborhood library,” “attend ballet class,” etc. At bedtime, kids can choose the cardboard activity square that represents a specific special activity for the following day. Store them in a small box or basket when not in use.

Extra Tips for Use: Remove all numbered caps and replace by matching the numbers on the caps with the numbers on the pan. Use numbered caps to practice counting.

Note: Small plastic milk-jug caps may pose a choking hazard to children 4 and under.