TICK TOCK · LEARN TOGETHER
Count clock minutes in fives and ones
Once your child recognises whole hours and half past, counting in fives helps them read more times. Each gap between two neighbouring big numbers represents five minutes.
Count around the clock
Begin at 12 with zero. Moving clockwise, count 5 at 1, 10 at 2, 15 at 3, 20 at 4, 25 at 5, 30 at 6, 35 at 7, 40 at 8, 45 at 9, 50 at 10 and 55 at 11. Reaching 12 again completes 60 minutes and starts the next hour.
Worked example: 3:20
The short hand is between 3 and 4, so the hour is 3. The long hand points to 4. Count 5, 10, 15, 20 to find the minutes. Put both parts together: 3:20, or “twenty past three”.
Worked example: 3:22
The long hand is two small marks beyond 4. First count to 20 using the big number, then add the two extra minutes: 20 + 2 = 22. The short hand has passed 3 but not reached 4, so the time is 3:22.
Try these questions together
- The minute hand points to 7. How many minutes past the hour? 35.
- It points one small mark beyond 8. How many minutes? 41.
- The hour hand is just before 6 and the minutes are 55. What time is it? 5:55.
Keep the counting visible
Turn on the outside minute numbers in Parents settings when your child needs a prompt. Count aloud while moving the minute hand, then hide the extra numbers when they are ready. The final lesson lets children practise individual minutes rather than only five-minute steps.