A Timely Piece! - Head's Blog

 

 

Over the past couple of weeks, we have held information evenings for parents of those year groups who are heading off on a residential trip. One key piece of kit list which should be mentioned to all pupils and parents is to bring with them a good old fashioned watch!

This was highlighted this week by Miss Walker during the Isle of Wight residential with Year 5 when the pupils were asked to meet their activity leaders at a designated time. Very few of them had a watch, thus they had to rely on the adults to time keep! A watch would also be  very helpful for the children in the mornings if they wake up early so that they may check that it is not only 5 a.m.!

So many people now rely on their mobile phones for checking the time and for some reason not as many children are wearing watches. I remember my school days when every member of the class wore watches and we actually would use them in maths lessons - the excitement of being 6 years old and mastering how to tell the time was really quite an achievement.  Sadly, this is a skill which many children do struggle with. Not only do children often struggle with telling the time but their awareness of time. How long is one minute?

We will often take a minute in assembly to sit in silence - to be present in the moment and appreciate this time. I highly recommend for everyone to use some of the time available to us each day to engage your awareness of your surroundings and your inner silence. Time is precious so use it wisely!

If your son or daughter does not yet have their own watch, I urge you to purchase them one and engage with them to help them learn how to tell the time. With the younger children, you could help them have that understanding of time awareness throughout the day.

Linked below are a couple of articles, one to assist with helping your child learn how to tell the time but another highlighting the importance of being ‘time aware’.

https://kid.steals.com/blog/wp/4-reasons-why-your-kid-should-wear-a-watch

https://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Kids-to-Tell-Time

Mrs. Drummond