Teachers reveal the surprising old-school trick that helps kids get better at maths
Learning to tell the time on an analogue clock builds maths, confidence and independence – and it might be the ultimate back-to-school hack.
If you’re shopping for school shoes, pencil cases and lunchboxes this September, you might want to add one more thing to your child’s list: an analogue watch. Teachers and education experts say that this classic skill doesn’t just help kids tell the time – it can actually sharpen their maths ability, build independence and even improve punctuality.
Why analogue clocks are secretly brilliant for maths
Research has shown that learning to read a traditional clock face helps children practise fractions, multiplication and problem-solving without even realising it. Unlike a digital display, an analogue clock requires kids to interpret the movement of the hands and their relationship to the numbers around the dial. This process develops spatial awareness and mathematical reasoning – two core skills that underpin everything from times tables to long division.
The UK National Curriculum still uses analogue clocks to teach fractions, while studies published in Frontiers in Psychology suggest that using real-world examples of fractions, like time-telling, can make maths feel more natural and accessible.
Danny Toffel, CEO of Watches2U, believes this is one of the simplest and most overlooked learning hacks for kids.
“It might seem old-fashioned in a world of smartphones, but learning to read an analogue clock is one of the best ways to sharpen a child’s maths skills,” he says. “Every time they look at their watch, they’re essentially practising fractions – working out halves, quarters and even thirds without realising it.”
Knowing the time also builds independence
The benefits aren’t just mathematical. Teachers say children who wear watches often turn up to lessons more prepared, more punctual and more independent.
“Fan forums for teachers are full of comments about how children who use watches arrive more prepared and less distracted than those who rely on checking a phone,” said Mr Toffel. “It’s a simple tool that supports both independence and academic progress.”
For many parents, that makes a watch a practical back-to-school investment. Unlike a phone, it doesn’t risk distracting kids with notifications, but it still gives them a sense of responsibility for their own routines.
Why kids are losing the skill
Despite these benefits, analogue time-telling is on the decline. A YouGov poll in 2019 found that one in five British teenagers couldn’t confidently read an analogue clock – a trend linked to the rise of smartphones and tablets. That’s why many schools still insist that children learn the skill, even in a digital-first world.
“Analogue time-telling is linked with problem-solving, memory and mental arithmetic,” Mr Toffel added. “Giving a child a classic watch can give them an edge academically – and it’s a back-to-school essential that costs less than a pair of trainers.”
The back-to-school win-win
With so much talk about screen time and digital distractions, an analogue watch could be the perfect low-tech solution. Kids get to feel grown-up and independent, while parents know they’re practising maths skills and learning to manage their own time – all without opening a textbook.
As Mr Toffel put it: “An analogue watch isn’t just about keeping time – it’s about giving children confidence, structure and stronger maths skills for life.”