If you’re looking for a good way to teach your child to tell time and to get himself up in the morning, consider investing in a children’s alarm clock. You don’t just want to pick out the first one you find, however, because there are different features that are suitable for different children. Here’s a quick look at what you should consider before you hit the mall to go shopping for a childrens alarm clock.

Starting by taking into consideration your child’s age, because there are styles suited to toddlers, preschoolers and tweens. For a toddler, you’ll want something colorful with familiar characters adorning it, whereas preschoolers might benefit from a teaching clock. The Teach Me Time clock is a good option to help your child learn what the hands on the dial mean.

Children’s clocks are available in either conventional analog style or with digital numbers that glow in the dark. For children who already know how to tell time, a digital clock is usually preferable because it’s easy to read when half asleep.

Most clocks offer the choice of either music or a buzzer to wake up to. You’ll want to make sure the music is age appropriate if it’s a preset song. Or choose a clock radio so they can select their favorite style of music. Another good feature appreciated by most is when the music starts out quietly and gradually grows in volume.

It’s a good idea to get a clock that has a backup battery. This can be very useful in areas where the power tends to go out a lot. A snooze function might be fun for your little one, but you don’t want them getting into the habit of hitting it all the time and never getting up. Some clocks even have a vibration feature that extends from the clock under the bed or pillow to add some extra incentive to get up.