Teaching children and adults with disabilities to tell time is one of the many steps towards independence. While neurotypical children tend to start learning how to tell around the first grade, for children with disabilities, it may take a little longer.
When teaching a child with a disability to learn how to read, teaching time telling skills requires more practice a most. each step should be broken Use multi-sensory activities as much as you can including practices that involve tactile, visual, touch, etc. Be aware if the child has a sensory processing disorder. Look for clues of a pending meltdown as the child may begin to feel overwhelmed. Allow the opportunity to calm down before returning to the activity.
The following resources below includes worksheets, templates and interactive games.
Busy Teacher. Provides beginner steps to teaching time
Education World. Lesson plans including a bingo card and additional resources on telling time
Scholastic. A lesson plan on teaching time using an analog clock model including information on pre-instructional planning and a clock template
Scholastic. Provides 10 ways to practice time skills
Teaching Time. Site includes worksheets, interactive games and templates.
The Mad House. Blog on how to make a paper plate clock- Great multisensory activity for learners
Third Space Learning. A blog article that provides a step by step technique on teaching time including ways to reduce cognitive overload.
We Are Teachers. 5 hands on ways to teach telling time. The webpage also includes a free blank watch for children to color.
