Visual Timers

Visual Timers

Visual timers are excellent for skill development in the areas of: maintaining focus, persisting on challenging tasks, developing a sense of time for managing transitions, and reducing anxiety.

When?

Visual timers are an effective way to manage whole classroom behavior as well as individual student behaviours. For example, if the class has 20 minutes for a center activity, the timer can be placed in clear view and set for 20 minutes and students can observe how much time is left to complete the activity.

Visual timers are helpful for students who need skills development in the following areas:

Starting activities/tasks
Completing activities/tasks
Transitioning from one activity to another, especially transferring from a preferred to a less preferred activity
Staying on task
Independently completing life skills/school routines (e.g. dressing, undressing, eating lunch, etc.)
Understanding the concept of time

For students with behaviour challenges, visual timers are effective for activities that do not have a clear ending or expectation. For example, if the student is expected to complete 5 math problems, a visual timer would not be effective. If the timer is set to 10 minutes, the activity is over whether or not 5 math problems were completed. Visual timers are effective for classroom work activities such as center time or silent reading. They are extremely effective for “reward time” activities such as playing on the computer, with Legos, or relaxing in a calm area.

How?

Visual timers, like all strategies/supports, need to be taught to students. If appropriate, the teacher needs to explain to the student(s) why the timer is being used and what is expected of the student(s). When initially introducing the timer, the teacher or TA will cue the student to look at the timer on a regular basis to see how much time is left before the lesson, work or activity is finished. This should be done at 5 minute intervals and giving a 2 minute and then 1 minute warnings.

Sample Lesson

Today we are going to start using a visual timer, called a Time Timer. A visual timer will help you know how much time you have to finish what we’re doing. The red colour shows you how much time you have left. We are going to start using the timer now. I will set it for 15 minutes. That means that you have 15 minutes to draw and color your picture. When time is up, the timer will tell let us know.

If the timer is set for 15 minutes, the teacher/TA should have the student(s) look at the timer when 5 minutes have elapsed and draw their attention to the fact that it is getting smaller. When 5 minutes are left, the teacher/TA then informs the student(s) to look at the timer. This procedure is followed when there are 2 minutes, and then 1 minute left.

Following this procedure, the student(s) learn the purpose of the timer, to help reduce anxiety for switching from one activity and reduce behaviour upsets.

Examples of Visual Timer

Time Timers

One of the most popular visual timers is the Time Timer. Time Timers are effective for students who do not have an understanding of time. The timer can be set for a specific amount of time (up to an hour). The amount of time is displayed in “red”. As time elapses, the red disappears. When the red is gone, the activity is over.

Egg Timers

Egg timers are a great visual way to demonstrate elapsed time. They can be purchased at local dollar stores. You will need to determine the amount of time. Typically they are for 1 to 2 minute activities. Egg timers with longer predetermined times (1, 2, 5, 10 minutes) can be purchased from specialty stores/catalogues.

Digital Timers

These timers are great for students who can tell time. It can be set to the amount of time and then provide an auditory cue when time is up. Students like to set the time. They can be purchased at dollar stores.