Our grandson, Locke, is going to have a birthday soon — coming up on six years old! Claire has inquired as to what he’d like for his birthday, and at the top of the list seems to be a watch. Of course this being 2020 and well into the digital age, he doesn’t want just a regular watch — he wants a “fitbit.” Now before we go any further, let’s get this our of the way — I readily admit that I’m an old fogey and often don’t understand or appreciate modern technology.
I’m not sure I really know what a fitbit is — I think it does tell the time (among other things) but my major problem is that it displays the time digitally. Both faithful readers know that my first watch was a Mickey Mouse watch, and of course it was analog — not digital. You can check the archives of this site if you’re interested in the details my first watch.
But back to Locke — I have nothing against “fitbit” kinds of “watches.” But — I think everyone should be able to tell time on an analog clock — just like I think everyone should be able to read and write cursive. I may be, but I don’t think so, not the only one with that opinion.
Most everyone, including kids, love digital tech. I’m sure that Locke can read time on a tablet or maybe even on the microwave oven, but staying focused on a digital interface he misses out on the benefits that come from telling time on an analog watch.
Teachers agree that there are long-term benefits to introducing kids to analog watches early on. I think some of the “advantages” of learning to tell time on an analog watch include:
It instills the concept of the passage of time — numbers changing doesn’t, by itself, convey a progression of time, it’s just numbers changing. I think an analog watch illustrates this better.
Telling time in words is better matched with a dial — if a digital watch says 8:15 pm then it’s not immediately obvious why this is pronounced as “a quarter past.” It’s much more obvious on an analog watch.
And — kids do need to learn to tell time the traditional way anyway, so there’s no better time than the present, for their first watch.
So Locke’s parents and me aren’t necessarily on the same page on this. They’re thinking “fitbit,” and I’m thinking it should be a watch with 12 numbers (and 2 or 3 hands) on the face. So we’ll compromise — we’ll get him the “fitbit.”
— 30 —
Wow! Remembering when watches were given as almost right of passage. I still have a couple of those. My 1st watch was given to me by a couple siblings. Timex with a white face and a black band, I still have it. My next most memorable watch was from a grandpa that had passed also have an old watch from a grandma that passed. Third most memorable watch was given to me by my God Mother, Kathi, as a combination Confirmation/8th grade Graduation gift which I still have. It is light blue with a pink and blue and white checkerboard face…one might guess and be correct, because in the 80s this was one of the coveted Swatch watches! Amongst other things, watches, can be one of those things you remember most about a person. My Dad had a watch I loved and will never forget. It had a square face and he always wore it when I was young…it was like a piece of Dad! When we were 1st dating Mike had a beautiful watch with a blue face which I will never forget. What can I say, we have a thing for time pieces. One thing is certain about time…it flies. I remember when Mom called to say Locke was born. Happy 6th!