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same as Mommy's clock. That is the time we need to leave for pre-school.' Let them watch the real clock, and enjoy bossing you, telling you to stop what you're doing when it's time to collect a friend, for example.

Some of these clocks are part of a larger calendar. Even better! It is fun changing weekdays, picking out snowy weather symbols, or counting days to birthdays. Getting pre-schoolers to understand the relationship of hours, seasons and days to our lives, involves preparing the ground and providing a conducive learning environment, one which makes Time relevant to them personally.

Soon a bright toddler will ask about the long hand and minutes! Be ready. Play games that have prepared him. Have lots of craft resources handy, such as card, glitter, circles and semi-circles. It is fun to make and color halves and quarters and cut them out. Time Rhymes make it fun to learn to count in fives. A bright toddler will rattle the five-ten-fifteen rhyme off faster and faster! Then he can move the long minute hand along with it. When it reaches the top, start a new hour by moving the short hand.

Clock Snap is competitive, compact and quick to play so it can be kept near the kitchen table and played as often as a toddler enjoys it. Role Play is also great. What about the old-fashioned games? Give them a come-back too. Chairs placed one behind the other make a great train and with a hooter, a clock, a flag and a cap, kids can have many laughs timing the next stop. They can enjoy craft, making and tearing off their own rolls of tickets!

Alarm clocks that have a huge bell on top and a clear, simple face are funny. Your toddler will enjoy bossing you and setting it to fun times like a favorite TV show. Fresh air fun and healthy exercise can be enjoyed on the grass with alarm- timed races and sports. They can keep alarm clocks in their room too but check the alarm time, before you retire for the night yourself!

By age seven, children should be able to enjoy a game of Tic Tac Tock. This challenging and competitive game involves taking turns to read analog and digital times. A colorful clock lets them check their answers. It even has gears! Kids have fun with marker and spinner, getting quicker and more accurate as they play.

So with all these Timely Tips and Up To The Minute Games, take five, and relax while the kids learn timetelling through play. The Best Time is Play Time.

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