A visual timer shows time as a shape instead of numbers. Here the colored part of the disc is the time left, and it shrinks back toward the top as the timer runs. When it’s gone, time’s up. Children who can’t read a clock yet can still see “a little bit left”.
How to use the visual timer
- Set the time. On the 60-minute face, drag around the disc like turning a dial. Or tap a preset, or type minutes and seconds.
- Choose the face. The 60-minute face always shows the same scale, so 5 minutes looks small and 30 minutes looks like half. Full disc starts full whatever the time, which reads better for 1 or 2 minutes.
- Press Start and go full screen. The disc shrinks smoothly. The space bar pauses and restarts it.
- At zero the board flashes and the sound you chose plays.
Why show time as a picture?
Minutes are abstract for young children, and a countdown in numbers asks them to read it and work out what it means. A shrinking disc answers “how long is left?” at a glance, from anywhere in the room.
Showing information instead of only saying it is called a visual support. The AFIRM project at the University of North Carolina lists visual supports as an evidence-based practice for autistic learners. Visual schedules and timers are everyday examples. Many teachers use visual timers with the whole class, for transitions, centers and clean-up.
Tips
- Pick a color that stands out on your screen. Red and blue show well on most projectors; pale colors can wash out.
- Hide the numbers (untick “Show the minutes and seconds”) when you want students to watch the disc, not count seconds.
- For older students, or when exact minutes matter, use the classroom timer with its big digits.