How to Teach the Days of the Week
Teach days of the week through routines and songs rather than rote recital. Calendar practice with practical anchors that stick.
The days of the week are the first unit of time most children really get — weeks are short enough to experience and long enough to contain recognisable routines. Teaching them works best through the routines rather than through the words: "today is Wednesday so after school we go to swimming" is ten times more memorable than a flash card.
Use a physical calendar or chart that the child updates each morning. Start with just "today" for a week, then add "yesterday" and "tomorrow" in the second week. The concept of yesterday/tomorrow is harder than it looks for under-5s and needs repeated exposure before it clicks.
Days of the Week songs (especially the one to the tune of The Addams Family) work remarkably well — they give the child an ordered sequence they can recite, which becomes the scaffolding for every date conversation after. Don't expect them to understand months at the same time; that's a separate topic, usually six months later.
Practise With These Free Games
Printable Worksheets to Go With This Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should a child know the days of the week?+
Reciting the days in order around age 4 to 5. Using them in context ('today is Tuesday, tomorrow is Wednesday') around age 5 to 6.
Should I teach days or months first?+
Days first. A week is short enough to experience repeatedly — a month is too long for under-5s to grasp as a unit of time.
What's the best song for days of the week?+
The 'Days of the Week' song to the Addams Family tune is the classroom favourite. There's also a countless-verse version called 'Solomon Grundy' which doubles as a cheerful memento mori.
How do I teach yesterday, today, tomorrow?+
With a three-box chart updated daily. Say 'yesterday was Monday, today is Tuesday, tomorrow will be Wednesday'. Repeat every day for a fortnight and it locks in.