Telling the time, children, watches and clocks

[hc4361]

I was very surprised to meet a 9 year old who cannot tell the time by a traditional clock face.
He had no idea of 'quarter past' or 'ten to' but could tell and understand the time by his digital watch.

Since then I have noticed many people don't have 'proper' clocks in their homes but of course have many digital clocks on dvd players, cookers, phones etc.

Is it usual for children not to learn to tell the time by analogue clock face these days? Is our language changing so that 'I'll meet you at ten fifteen' is used more than 'quarter past ten'?

Do you have an analogue clock in your house?

[B00]

Got an analogue clock in the kitchen and Mini Boo at 7 has learnt, at school, and with us how to tell the time properly.

I hate digital watches- I think they always look cheap.

[ubasses]

Must admit you have not surprised me. We have 2 'proper' clocks, one my great grandparents anniversary clock, and we both have analogue watches, hate digital watches.

[jno]

try asking someone to do something "clockwise".

Having said that, is it really a problem? As long as everyone's saying "ten fifteen". "Quarter past" can take its place in history books alongside "Ho, thou varlet!"

Now I think of it... no, no analogue clocks here, apart from a lilttle alarm clock.

[jno]

my digital watch looks cheap because it is cheap. Cheap is good, as long as it tells the time accurately, which it does. I am not interested in Rolex porn.

[SlackAlice]

Not experienced any child having problems reading an analogue clockface. I've got three analogue clocks and three digital clocks and switch between them with no problems.
Only got one watch in digital which was for work and because all the times at work were in 24hr format it was handy.

Only penchant I've got is that all the clocks must be accurate ☺

[hc4361]

I think it is harder to learn to understand the time by digital clock.

With a clock face you can see how long it is your appointment; with digital you need to work it out mathematically.

I do hope the boy I met is the exception, maybe I am old fashioned.

[jno]

that makes them a learning aid then, hc. Harder needn't mean worse.

[sir.prize]

Show the children this clip - they will soon understand time

[hc4361]

I remember my first digital watch, it was plastic, lit up and I could change between the 12 hour clock and 24 hour clock.
I found it easy to read digital time but I already had a full grasp of 'proper' time.

It is good to know that children are still being taught the old way.

[sunny-dave]

... ask an under 25 the time these days - odds are they will look at their phone ...

[hc4361]

That made me laugh, sir.prize

[woofgang]

not just the under 25s. I didn't wear a wristwatch at work because of hand hygiene (NHS community staff) so I got into the habit of using my phone as a timepiece. When I retired, I just never needed to wear a watch, the last time I did so was last november.

[erin-x]

I'm going to admit to you that I still have difficulty grasping analogue clocks. It's not that I wasn't taught it at school or that I didn't try, I just don't get it.

And I can tell the time! It just takes me a little longer to work it out! I definitely wouldn't be able to tell you with confidence which hand is which.

I bet I sound really stupid now!! I'm not alone though. I know quite a few people who struggle with it. I'm sure I read somewhere that it can be another aspect of dyslexia.

[woofgang]

it is erin! It took me ages to learn to tell the time from an analogue clock. Do you have left/right problems too? When i learned to drive, my teacher used to say "right up" to me and "left down" as that makes sense in terms of turning the wheel....and befor anyone says anything, I have never hit anyone!

[erin-x]

Yes!! My driving instructor said I pointed with my finger when she gave me directions. I think it was my way of translating it so I could understand. She had never came across anyone who had done the same!

I'm rubbish with directions and stuff as well.

[woofgang]

I can do and follow directions now but it took me years.

[madmaggot]

I haven't worn a watch for years; don't need to with a phone. Don't need a diary or address book or camera either.

[sophie_1003]

Took me ages to learn to read an analogue clock and cant do it with confidence if there are no numbers. I did that when I was learning erin, tried to do it discreetly though!

[FredPuli43]

What I never get is 'half' in , for example, 'half nine'. I'm sure this is an expression which didn't exist when I learnt to tell the time. To me it seems to mean half of the hour given i.e 'half nine' is half past eight. Otherwise what is it 'half' of ?

[hc4361]

Fred, 'half past' was commonly used long before you were born. Before that people would say 'it is half past the four o'clock'; before that - it is half past the four of the clock.
Same with quarter past etc.