This handy, dandy gadget came to my attention thanks to Amy Corbett Storch who blogs at CafeMom.

What Is the Time Timer?

Amy describes the Time Timer as “a clock, but it represents an hour visually, labeled with minutes instead of the one to 12 hours. You set a block of time — 5 minutes, 15, 45, etc. — by extending a red inner circle thing, which slowly disappears as time counts down. It runs on a single battery and can stand up on a flat surface or get hung on the wall. Basic, yet utterly brilliant.”

She is absolutely right. As soon as she described it, I thought of several former students who would have benefited from it.

What Makes the Time Timer So Brilliant?

It’s brilliant because it provides a concrete representation of an abstract concept – time. And kids, especially young kids or those on the autism spectrum, are concrete thinkers. Yet we expect them to operate within the abstract system of time. Which you know, if you’ve ever lost track of time, is not always easy for adults, either.

Where to Buy the Time Timer?

The Time Timer is available in several sizes at www.amazon.com. It can also be ordered at their website, www.timetimer.com, where you will also find other products and information. If you’ve had experience with the Time Timer, leave a comment. We’d love to hear what you have to say!

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