When do children generally begin to show a clear understanding of the concept of time?

The understanding of the concept of time typically develops significantly around ages 4 to 6. By this time, children start to grasp the basic ideas of past, present, and future events, and they can relate their personal experiences to these time frames. While younger children, such as those around 2 years old, may respond to routines and events that occur at specific times, they do not yet have the cognitive ability to comprehend time as a concept. As children approach 4 years old, they begin to understand sequences of events and can identify that certain activities happen at specific times of day, but it isn't fully apparent until around 6 years old that they can comprehensively articulate the passage of time and its significance in daily life.

This understanding continues to refine and expands as they grow older, leading to a more sophisticated grasp of time concepts, including specific hours, days, and even extended periods. Hence, by age 6, children demonstrate a clearer understanding of time's structure and its relevance to their experiences.