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Maths hiding in home: bedtime clocks
Read routines, durations and countdowns to bedtime.
Quick answer
Maths hiding in home: bedtime clocks helps children learn about time, counting, and durations by looking at how clocks work and how bedtime routines are planned. You can use clocks to count backwards, measure time, and understand how long things take.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to use clocks to plan bedtime routines, count backwards in time, and measure how long things take. You will be able to:- Read the time on an analogue clock
- Count backwards from bedtime to know when to start getting ready
- Measure how long bedtime routines take
- Use time to plan your day
Why this matters
Time is everywhere around us, especially at home. When you get ready for bed, you use time to know when to start getting ready, how long it takes, and when you should be in bed. Learning about time helps you understand how long things take, which is useful for school, games, and daily life. Clocks help you make plans and keep track of time so you don’t miss anything important.How it works
Clocks show time in hours and minutes. The big hand (minute hand) shows minutes, and the small hand (hour hand) shows hours. When the minute hand points to 12, it’s on the hour. When it points to 3, it’s 15 minutes past the hour. When it points to 6, it’s 30 minutes past. When it points to 9, it’s 45 minutes past. Clocks can also show time in a 24-hour format, but we mostly use 12-hour clocks at home. To count backwards in time, you can imagine the minute hand moving backwards. For example, if it’s 7:45 and you want to know what time it was 15 minutes ago, you go back to 7:30. Counting backwards helps you plan bedtime routines and know when to start getting ready.Examples you can see
Let’s look at a few examples of how clocks help with bedtime routines. Example 1: Getting ready for bed Your bedtime is at 8:00 pm. You need 30 minutes to get ready. What time should you start getting ready?- Count backwards from 8:00 pm
- 30 minutes before 8:00 pm is 7:30 pm
- You should start getting ready at 7:30 pm
- From 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm is 15 minutes
- From 8:00 pm to 8:15 pm is 15 minutes
- So it took 30 minutes
- From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm is 60 minutes
- There are 60 minutes left
Try it as a mini adventure
Bedtime Countdown Challenge You are planning your bedtime routine. Your bedtime is at 8:30 pm. Here’s your routine:- Brush teeth (starts at 7:45 pm)
- Get dressed (starts at 8:00 pm)
- Read a book (starts at 8:15 pm)
- Get into bed (starts at 8:25 pm)
- Brush teeth finishes at 7:55 pm
- Get dressed finishes at 8:05 pm
- Read a book finishes at 8:20 pm
- Get into bed finishes at 8:30 pm
- Brush teeth to get dressed: 5 minutes
- Get dressed to read a book: 10 minutes
- Read a book to get into bed: 5 minutes
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 7:45 pm is 45 minutes past the hour.
Why it happens: Confusing the minute hand with the hour hand.
Fix: Practice reading the minute hand on a clock. Remember, the minute hand points to 15 for 15 minutes, 30 for 30 minutes, and so on. - Mistake: Counting forward instead of backward when planning bedtime.
Why it happens: Not understanding that bedtime routines start earlier.
Fix: Use a clock and count backwards from bedtime to plan your routine. - Mistake: Not knowing how to read the hour hand.
Why it happens: Not understanding that the hour hand points to the hour, even if it’s between two numbers.
Fix: Practice reading the hour hand on a clock. If the hour hand is between 7 and 8, it’s 7 o’clock.
Parent and carer guide
Parents and carers can help children learn about time by:- Using a real clock or a clock app to show how time moves
- Practising reading the time together, especially the minute hand
- Planning bedtime routines and counting backwards to know when to start
- Using visual aids like clocks with moveable hands or printable clocks
- Encouraging children to ask questions about time and how it works
- Practising counting backwards from bedtime to help with planning
- Using bedtime routines to teach time and duration
- Making a simple chart or schedule for bedtime activities
- Using games or songs to help children remember how time works
- Being patient and encouraging when children make mistakes
Practice questions
- If your bedtime is 8:30 pm and you need 20 minutes to get ready, what time should you start?
- It takes 10 minutes to brush teeth and 15 minutes to get dressed. How long does it take to do both?
- If you start getting ready at 7:15 pm and your bedtime is 8:00 pm, how many minutes are left?
- You read a book from 8:00 pm to 8:20 pm. How long did you read?
- It takes 5 minutes to put on your pyjamas and 10 minutes to brush your teeth. How long does it take to do both?
- You should start at 8:10 pm
- It takes 25 minutes
- There are 45 minutes left
- You read for 20 minutes
- It takes 15 minutes
FAQ
What time is bedtime?
Bedtime is the time you go to sleep. It can be different for everyone, but most children go to bed between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm.
How do I know when to start getting ready for bed?
You can count backwards from bedtime to know when to start. For example, if bedtime is 8:00 pm and you need 30 minutes to get ready, start at 7:30 pm.
Why do we use clocks at home?
Clocks help us know what time it is, plan our day, and make sure we don’t miss anything important. They help us understand how long things take and when to do them.
How can I practice time at home?
You can practice by reading the time on a clock, counting backwards from bedtime, planning your day, and using a timer to see how long things take.
What if I don’t understand how to read the clock?
It’s okay to ask for help! You can use a clock with moveable hands, play time games, or practice with a parent or carer. Learning time takes practice, and everyone learns at their own pace.