This term we have been learning about time concepts and temporal orientation — understanding words such as now, next, later, before, and after, and how events are organised within the day.
Why is this important?
Understanding time helps children make sense of their daily routines and feel safe and secure. For children with autism and learning difficulties, time can be very abstract and difficult to understand. By teaching time concepts in a structured, visual, and meaningful way, we support children to:
- Feel more confident and secure during the school day
- Manage transitions more successfully
- Develop communication and understanding
- Build independence and emotional regulation
- Improve sequencing and listening skills
Learning about time is not just about clocks — it is about understanding what is happening now, what will happen next, and when activities will end.
How We Have Been Learning Time Concepts (Teaching Order)
We have been teaching time concepts in small, structured steps, using visuals, routines, and real-life experiences:
- Now / Finished – understanding what is happening at the moment and when an activity ends
- First / Then – linking two simple activities in sequence
- Next / Later – recognising that something is coming after the current activity
- Before / After – understanding the order of events
- Today / Tomorrow / Yesterday – developing awareness of daily time concepts
- Morning / Afternoon – linking activities to different parts of the day
These concepts are practised daily and embedded into classroom routines and play-based learning.
How Parents Can Support at Home
Parents can help reinforce time concepts by using simple and consistent time language at home:
- Use short phrases such as “Now dinner”, “Then bath”, “Finished play”
- Talk through routines: “First shoes, then outside”
- Use visuals (photos, drawings, or symbols) to show what is happening next
- Support transitions with countdowns: “Two more minutes… one more minute… finished”
- Model time words naturally during everyday activities
- Praise and encourage any attempt to use or understand time-related words or symbols
Consistency and repetition are key. Every child learns at their own pace, and small steps lead to big progress
Have a great weekend
