How Does 12 vs 24 Hour Clock - Functional Skills Work?

The 12-hour clock and 24-hour clock are two ways to tell time, like having two different languages for talking about when it is.

Imagine you have a toy train that goes around a track. The 12-hour clock is like the train that stops at 12 stations, from 1 to 12, and then starts again. It says "1:00 AM" in the morning and "1:00 PM" in the afternoon.

The 24-hour clock is like a bigger train with 24 stations, it goes all the way around the track without stopping. So, it just says "1:00" in the morning and "13:00" in the afternoon, no need for AM or PM!

• With 12-hour clock, you say “It’s 9 o’clock in the morning” or “It’s 9 o’clock at night.”
• With 24-hour clock, you just say “It’s 9:00” or “It’s 21:00.”

Both are useful, like having two different maps to find your way around a park. One is simpler for little kids, and the other helps grown-ups tell time more clearly when they’re busy!