Turn & Tell Wooden Clock: Teaching Time in Preschool
By Melissa & Doug: #1 Preschool Brand For Wooden Toys | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: How-to Guides
Use the Turn & Tell Wooden Clock to teach toddlers to tell time with simple, hands-on steps that build number recognition and confidence.
Quick answer
Start by letting your child explore the clock freely, then introduce hour numbers and the hour hand before adding minutes and the minute hand. Use the included time cards for short, playful practice sessions.
Why the Turn & Tell Clock Makes Time-Telling Easier
The Turn & Tell Wooden Clock is designed for kids who are ready to learn to tell time. Its hands rotate with a gentle click, marking off the minutes as they go, which gives children tactile feedback as they move the hands. The clock face uses large red numbers for the hour hand and small blue numbers for the minute hand, so children can visually match each hand to its corresponding numbers. A segmented color disk also helps kids visualize “quarter past” and “half past.” These design features reduce the guesswork and make abstract time concepts more concrete.
When to Introduce Each Skill
Most preschoolers are not ready to read a clock precisely until they have a solid grasp of numbers 1–12 and can count to 60. Start with number recognition and the concept of time passing before expecting accurate time-telling. The Turn & Tell Clock supports this progression because the hour numbers are large and red, making them easy to identify first. Once your child can point to numbers on request, move on to the hour hand. Only after the hour hand is understood should you introduce the minute hand and the color disk for quarter and half hours.
Step-by-Step Time-Telling Practice
- Explore the clock freely: Hand the clock to your child and let them turn the hands, listen to the clicks, and examine the numbers without instruction. This builds familiarity and curiosity. If your child loses interest quickly, try turning the hands together and naming the numbers you land on.
- Focus on hour numbers: Point to each large red number and ask your child to say it aloud. Then ask them to find a number you name, such as “Can you point to 3?” Keep sessions to 2–3 minutes; short and frequent works better than long drills.
- Introduce the hour hand: Show that the short red hand points to the hour. Move it to different numbers and say the hour aloud, e.g., “The hour hand is on 2, so it’s 2 o’clock.” Check understanding by asking your child to move the hour hand to a number you call out.
- Add the minute hand and count by fives: Explain that the long blue hand points to the minutes. Use the small blue numbers to count by fives around the clock, starting at 12. If counting by fives is too advanced, simply count each minute mark together instead.
- Use the color disk for quarter and half past: Show how the segmented color disk marks “quarter past” and “half past.” Move the minute hand to those positions and name the time. Reinforce by asking your child to move the hand to “half past” on their own.
- Practice with the time cards: Place a time card next to the clock and help your child set the hands to match the time shown. Start with hour-only cards, then move to half-hour and quarter-hour cards. If your child struggles, demonstrate one card first, then let them try the next.
- Make it a daily game: Once a day, ask your child to set the clock to a familiar routine time, such as lunchtime or bedtime. Keep it playful and praise effort. Stop while it’s still fun; a positive ending makes them want to come back.
Product facts
- Turn & Tell Wooden Clock: Hands rotate with a gentle click, marking off the minutes as they go. The clicking sound and feel give children immediate feedback, helping them connect hand movement with time passing.
Turn & Tell Wooden Clock - Turn & Tell Wooden Clock: Large red numbers match the hour hand, and small blue numbers match the minute hand. Color-coded numbers let children visually pair each hand with its numbers, reducing confusion when learning to tell time.
- Turn & Tell Wooden Clock: Includes 13 double-sided time cards for practice. The cards provide ready-made exercises that turn clock play into a structured game, reinforcing what your child learns.
