By: Gabriel Ryan, School Health Blog Writer and Contributor
As many schools and educational programs resume after the summer break, transitioning from the summer schedule to the back-to-school routine can be challenging for everyone. The Time Timer is a simple tool that has helped students, professionals, and parents make better sense of time, reduce anxiety, and boost productivity.
What is the Time Timer?
The Time Timer is a visual timer that shows the time using a colored disk that slowly disappears as time elapses. Unlike traditional clocks or digital countdowns, it provides a clear, visual representation of how much time is left—making the abstract concept of time easier to understand, especially for children or those with ADHD, autism, or other executive functioning challenges.
How to Use the Time Timer:
- Set the desired time (e.g., 5, minutes or 30 minutes).
- A red, green, blue (or other colored) disk appears and begins to shrink as time ticks down.
- When time runs out, a gentle alert (optional) sounds to mark the end.
Who Uses the Time Timer?
- Students - helps them visually "see" how long they have to stay focused, wait for a turn, or complete a task—reducing anxiety and improving transitions.
- Teachers and Therapists - fantastic for keeping group activities on schedule, managing behavior, and helping kids understand time constraints.
- Remote Workers and Professionals - stay focused on tasks without checking the clock constantly.
- Parents and Caregivers - gives a visual cue to help kids versus repeated verbal reminders
I use the Time Timer when I am completing certain tasks, it provides a quick visual rather than constantly checking my watch. There are many different ways you can use the Time Timer; our colleague Dr. Ray has created several videos about how to use the Time Timer that you can watch on our Talkin Tech YouTube Playlist! He even shared with me that he uses one of these products while on business phone calls to be mindful of the time!
Learn more about the Time Timer mentioned in this blog by visiting the School Health website at www.schoolhealth.com. Have you used a Time Timer in your life or classroom? Share your experience with me at gryan@schoolhealth.com.
