The right watch for your child will change with them as they grow up and develop their skills and abilities. What worked for them when they were in nursery will clearly not accommodate their learning needs as they approach Key Stage 2, so let’s take a look at choosing the right children’s watches for your little learners at the different stages of their development.

Age 4-5

Telling the time can be tricky for young minds, and most children begin learning how to tell the time in schools from the age of 5, so don’t rush into buying a watch for your little one before they are ready. However, children’s watches are suitable for all those under the age of 4, so keep your ears open for any questions from your little one that signal that they are ready to begin learning a little early.

This might be questions about bedtime or what time siblings come home from school, or a more general interest in how humans know when to do certain tasks. Even if they haven’t begun to learn how to tell the time yet, it is a good idea to equip them with an understanding of how time passes and how it can be read on a clock – or a watch – before they start primary school to give them the best chance of keeping up with their lessons.

If your little one is ready to get started, then they will need an easy-to-read watch that contains all the information they need to read the exact time. You might think that a basic display without many numbers would ease them into their learning, but in fact the opposite is true, as most children’s watches only display about 20% of the information needed to read the time. This means that young children in particular should be given a watch that contains an easy read system and makes it clear exactly what number each hand points to, and don’t forget to choose a watch with sturdy casing and a reliable strap that will withstand continued practice.

Age 6-8

By now, your child will have learnt how to tell the time in school and will be able to read a watch by themselves, although they may still need a little help from you to cement their understanding.

If they have asked you for a watch to help them practise, make sure you ask them which method they prefer using. At this age, they should have a good idea of whether they prefer the to & past method (which involves reading the time as “10 minutes to 2”) or the 12/24 hour one (which is read as “one, fifty”), depending on which method is taught in their school.

The method that they use might not be the one you use at home, but it’s best to remain consistent with what they know and give them a watch that supports their ongoing learning. Aside from this the choice is yours, although your little one will likely appreciate being able to pick a watch and strap in the colour that they like, so don’t forget to pick up a few extra straps in larger sizes that they can start using as they grow!

Age 8+

Around this time, your child will have been telling the time on their own for a few years, and children’s watches for this age group focus on supporting their independence rather than scaffolding their learning.

With this in mind, it is a good idea to gift them a watch that they can take with them on after-school activities and weekend adventures, as well as to school, to give them lots of extra practice. Whether this is giving them a particular time to return home whilst out playing with friends, or asking them to remind you when it is time to leave for their swimming lesson on a Saturday morning, having their own watch encourages them to keep track of their daily routine and reinforces the importance of being on time.

It is also a great opportunity to give them slightly more freedom with their time within a limit that you are comfortable with. So, frame the watch as an exciting tool for them to take responsibility for, rather than extra work outside of school hours, and since kids will be kids you’ll thank yourself for getting a waterproof watch that won’t break after one or two splashes from a puddle!

EasyRead children’s wrist watches

Whether your child needs a little extra help, or they can’t wait to start reading the time independently, EasyRead Time Teacher offers a range of children’s watches with both a ‘Past & To’ and 12/24 Hour method, so choose children’s watches with your little ones’ preferred system today (and don’t forget to choose a colourful strap!).