telling the time

[auracariafan]

how old before children start telling the time? also, when do they begin to understand left and right? any answers/anecdotes appreciatied, thanks.

[sunflower68]

I would say approximately 5 years onwards. The basic "o'clock" is quite straightforward at that age.

[Bohne]

I remember having a first grasp of time (and telling it from a clock face) at around four years old.

Left and right I do not remember!

[Bohne]

Just remembered something:

If the child is old enough to recognize some letters,you can use this:

The left hand is the one, where thumb and forefinger make an L shape when holding the hands in front of you with thumbs in a right angle.

[devilwoman]

if the child is right handed the hand they write with is right, see write--- right and the other hand is the left one. children are able to learn time at about 4 years and over, the o clocks are the easiest to learn.

[southerngirl]

I could read and write by the age of two years and could tell left and right and the time. So I suppose it is down to the indivdual child. Apparently I showed an avid interest in books and words and numbers when I was about a year old and my Mum just encouraged me and showed me when I asked, which apparently, was frequently. Poor woman was probably harassed like mad!! Still, it has given me a pasion for words and reading which I have never lost.

[Booldawg]

I could read & write before I started school but definately remember being the last one in school to tell the time - I was about 8.