While doing the nesting activity, have a conversation and ask the child questions about his day. “What are you doing now?” “What did you do today?” “What did you do after that?” Etc.
The adult keeps the interaction conversational. Talk about your day and what you are doing “in a minute” or “later today.”
The child uses time concepts related to the present.
Children talk in global terms, but early childhood educators and parents can introduce three objects and talk about comparison to expand the child’s concepts. “This one is a little bit bigger.” Actual manipulation and comparison with real objects is best for children. Early childhood educators and parents should also use time concepts with children to expand their understanding of past, present, and future.
 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015
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