Stahlke Adoption

Clocks

In 2005, when our first five children arrived in Chicago, none of them could tell time on an analog clock. Even our nine, ten, and eleven-year olds would ignore the clock in our main living area, and instead walk into the master bedroom for a glance at the digital alarm clock there. I have yet to figure out how they missed learning about this part of daily life. For many months, the children didn't master the analog system, since we were too busy to teach them and in school the subject of time is covered in lower grade levels.

As a six-year-old, Kola has yet to learn much about telling time. But he has definitely noticed the new clock in our living area, which was a gift last Christmas from my brother's family. A small photo of a child accompanies each number on the clock, and altogether the entire group of cousins on my side of the family is represented.

This morning, Kola asked me what time we would depart for school. I pointed to the number nine (7:45 am), next to his brother's photo. Kola smiled and said, "Ok--that's David time."

posted by Stahlkes @ 11:45 AM