Giving young kids plenty of warnings before ending a fun activity [1], like a 10 and five minute countdown, can make transitioning from one activity to the next run more smoothly. If you have a toddler though, your little one probably won't understand what 10 or five minutes actually feels like, or in this case, what it looks like. When I realised that a verbal heads up wasn't cutting it for my three-year-old, I bought this Yunbaoit 60-Minute Visual Analog Timer [2] ($19) and it's become a lifeline for helping him move through each phase of our evening routine with less pushback and meltdowns.
How to Use It
Aside from getting toddlers to cooperate [3], it can also be a great tool for making transitions easier for kids with autism and ADHD [4]. I even use it to help me stay focussed while cleaning if I have a limited amount of time.
The timer can be set for up to an hour and is totally silent until it goes off — no obnoxious ticking noises while you wait. When the time does go off, it's a beeping sound that's loud enough to hear without being startling.
Why It Works
My son even enjoys helping me set the time by turning the dial and watching the red expand, though you better believe I move it to a high shelf where it can be seen and not touched once it's set. As long as I encourage him to check in to see how much time he has left and give him some control over small things — sure, you can invite a couple of your dinosaurs to the dinner table! — he doesn't freak out nearly as much as he used to. As strange as it sounds, there's something about putting the responsibility on an inanimate object instead of me to end the fun that helps ease the power struggle.