First and foremost, your kids must be able to understand the concept of the hands of the clock. You should explain that once the long hand shifts to the following number, one hour has passed. Lead your kids in a discussion of what they can do in an hour, such as the games they can play, the food they can eat or the TV shows they can watch. Next, show the minute hand and explain that a minute has passed when the minute hand or the short hand shifts to the next small mark. Again, discuss the things they can do in one minute. This will help them begin to comprehend the concept of time.
Nowadays, kids love playing online games. "What Time is It?" (at primarygames.com) will help preschoolers enjoy time-telling activities. In the game, an image of an analog clock is displayed. Below it, there are four digital clocks with different times indicated on them. The goal of the game is to be able to tell what time it is on the analog clock by clicking the correct time on the digital clock.
To drive home the concept of time, help your preschooler make a paper plate clock. All you need is a paper plate, a handmade clock face, a pin, glue, scissors and some cutout clock hands. Paste the clock face on the paper plate and then attach the hands with the pin. Once your child is done making the paper plate clock, use it to help your preschooler practice telling time. For instance, you could use it to teach him or her the number of hours in a day and the number of minutes in one hour.
To help your child understand that hours make up days and days make up weeks and months, buy a calendar for your preschooler or make one and hang it in his room. Annotate special events, such as birthdays and holidays, on the calendar. Then teach your child how to count down until the special event by marking off days that have already passed by placing an "X" over the date.