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BRITISH ENGLISH · DISCOVER TOGETHER

Telling the time games: start with the whole hour

Girafoufou’s clock activities focus on whole hours. Start by noticing the short hour hand and the long minute hand, then connect an o’clock time with something familiar in the day.

Try it together
INSIDE THE ENGLISH GAMEAn analogue clock showing four o’clock, with numeral choices beside it
An analogue clock showing four o’clock, with numeral choices beside it

One kind of time at a time

At a whole hour, the minute hand points to twelve. The hour hand identifies the hour. The game includes recognising a clock and exploring morning, midday and night. It does not teach half past, quarter hours or reading individual minutes.

A clock is a different use of numbers

Recognising a numeral does not automatically make an analogue clock clear. Look at the hands together before asking for an answer, and use a familiar event such as lunch to give the time a context.

SIDE BY SIDE

Find the whole hour

  1. Listen to the time in the instruction.
  2. Find the long hand at twelve.
  3. Look where the short hand points and choose the matching clock.

Whole hours only. This later number activity may return to the numbers path if it is still closed.

Explore the clock

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

PUT THE SCREEN DOWN

A paper clock for teddy

You will need: Paper, a pencil and two paper strips for hands.

  1. Draw a clock face together, with a grown-up writing the numbers.
  2. Place the long paper hand at twelve.
  3. Move the short hand to an hour and invent what teddy might be doing then.

Keep this activity using your browser’s Print menu, or share it by email. No sign-up needed.

Girafoufou · https://www.girafoufou.com/en/learning-games/telling-the-time

Questions
from parents.

Does the game cover half past?

No. These activities cover whole hours and parts of the day. Half hours and quarter hours are not currently taught here.

Carry the idea a little further.

FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 3 year olds: look, touch and explore

Count three objects, match pictures and explore a talking picture book. Calm learning games for three-year-olds, with simple ideas to try off screen.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 5 year olds: first words and number bonds

Try blending short words, number bonds and early addition at five. See what Girafoufou offers, how to help and when to choose an easier activity.

Explore EXPLORE THE GAMES

Counting games for preschoolers: from objects to first sums

Touch objects, compare small groups and match quantities to numerals. Explore Girafoufou’s early maths games, with a simple counting activity for home.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Counting to 3: touch each object, then say how many

Try a first counting game with two and three objects. See how to help without answering for your child, then make a teddy tea party off screen.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Number bonds games: two parts, one whole

Explore doubles, fingers and dominoes to see how numbers split into parts. Try a gentle number game, then investigate the same idea with five toys.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Addition games for kids: join two groups and count

Put two groups together and explore what the plus sign means. A first addition game with pictures, followed by a simple toy-car activity off screen.

Explore

About this guide

Product guide by the Girafoufou team. Updated . The activities described here are checked against the English game.

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A small discovery.
Then time to play.

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

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