Big Hand, Little Hand: Learn to Tell Time!
What’s inside...
Rhyming text and illustrations featuring clock faces follow the animals and activities on Farmer Fred's farm. Designed to teach toddlers how to tell time, this appealing set of verses on half-sized pages above a clock face with two movable hands takes readers through the day, from six in the morning when it is time to wake up, until midnight, when everyone is asleep.
Age
3-7
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you learn about telling time from this story?
How do you think knowing how to tell time helps the characters in the book?
Can you imagine a day where you planned all our activities? What would we do first?
Why do you think it's important for us to know what time it is?
How did the big hand and the little hand work together in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading, pause at pages where time is mentioned and ask your child to explain what the clock shows.
After reading, practice setting times discussed in the book using a real or toy clock.
Connect the concept of time in the book to daily routines, such as meal times or bedtimes, to make the learning practical and relatable.
Encourage your child to explain the story to another family member, focusing on how the characters used time to accomplish tasks.
Create a small craft project, like making a paper clock, to reinforce the lessons from the book and keep the learning interactive and fun.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the concept of time
Explanation: In 'Big Hand, Little Hand: Learn to Tell Time!', children are introduced to the basics of telling time through the engaging story of a clock's hands. The book simplifies the concept by breaking down hours, minutes, and seconds in a way that is easily understandable.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge in their daily routines, learning to manage their time for various activities such as homework, playtime, or getting ready for bed.
Example Lesson: Importance of punctuality
Explanation: As the characters in the book often emphasize reaching places on time, it subtly instills the value of punctuality.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children the importance of being on time for school, appointments, and other scheduled activities, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Sequencing and time management
Explanation: The book shows how the clock’s hands move in sequence and how activities can be planned according to different times of the day.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to sequence their tasks and manage their time effectively, aiding in better organization and planning skills both at school and home.
Example Lesson: Patience and anticipation
Explanation: The waiting for the big hand or little hand to reach certain numbers introduces concepts of patience and looking forward to events.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and cope with waiting periods, whether they are looking forward to a birthday, a holiday, or simply waiting for their favorite TV show to start.