I remember reading in one of the long threads about difficulty in learning time concepts could be related to developmental vision probs?? Didi misunderstand? Could whoever has information on this please post. Going to take son for IM and to a Developmental Opt this Sept but wondering if there is a connection and what it would be. Son almost 7 still struggling with time. He wants to learn more than me pushing-says it’s embarrassing not to know in front of other kids.
Re: Time and th brain
Time is an abstract concept, maybe that explains why I’m always late! Many kids can’t make sense of a clock but they do understand when a tv show will be on or when their favorite program will occur. That is concrete time. Get kids digital watches as it is important in the development of this concept. Getting the hands figured out will take much longer. We all live by the clock, kids need all the help they can get. Writing down when things should occur when wearing a digital watch will also help. Also, those annoying alarms can be very helpful to understand the span of time. Don’t set it during the school day - thanks!
UK Mum--book is excellent
I cannot praise “One Hand at a Time” enough. Leah posted recently on the math forum about time—you can see my full review there, which I posted in response. I used it for a 11 year old—but it is really geared for a younger child—7 would be a great age to do it.
Re: Time and th brain
Well, if you have trouble making the connection between the space on a non-digital clock and the time that you feel passing, the visual perception of the clock could be an issue.
I think the two things often co-exist but I wouldn’t pin a cause-effect on it; there’s a lso a difference between understanding the “math” of time and clocks, and being able to “feel” the difference between a short and a long time. Some kids need to consciously practice figuring out how long “five minutes” is… and that it’s a brief moment when you’re reading a book but an eternity at a stop light… so bring a book with you in the car :)
Re: Thanks everyonefor suggestions
Thanks Sue. That is one of the problems he has. One hour, 5 min, 1min, 1 sec. Even on the digital clock all seem to have no memory for him. We can practice one second, one minute etc…. but again, one of those things that don’t stick. We’re stuck at what I know really means short time, long time. for him. I will look into the book, but not available here so one of the things will have to wait for this fall. Just wondered if anyone knew what part of brain this was linked to and if we’d seeimprovement with IM and should mention to developmental optometrist. I’ll see if I can slog thru all the posts where I think I saw that it was connected. Didn’t really understand it all the first time anyway. Thanks again for all the help. This board is so good at brainstorming.
Re: Time and th brain
Ever heard of the Time Timer? My AT Specialist for the county called me and mentioned its use for my daughter. Seems it’s gives a visual concept of time with the read part slowly getting smaller. I am going to approach the gen ed teacher to see if she would use it for the whole class (lots of kids hve trouble with you have 5 more min), but my daughter especially. She can also get a smaller version for her individual use if the teacher isn’t open to its use. Just wondered if anyone has used it?
My daughter, 10 in November, still struggles with time. She can figure it out, but it takes her awhile. I (so far) have refused to buy a digital watch, wanting her to struggle and learn. She also has no concept of time.
I have been told by Victoria and others, to get a book called “One Hand at a Time. I plan to get it soon, it’s supposed to be excellent.