Ti Me: Teaching Children Time Management and Group Interactions

Designing a Playground Equipment for Efficient and Peaceful Play

One of the most important lessons for children is learning to calculate the time of their activities. It is crucial for them to understand the concept of finishing their games within a given time. Failure to address this important issue during their development can lead to negative behaviors. This issue becomes evident in children's playgrounds, where children often struggle to take turns, stay in queues, and manage their time using the equipment.

Ti Me addresses these challenges by providing a solution that promotes time management and interaction among children. It is a play equipment designed with the aim of teaching children to manage their time and interact better with others in playgrounds. Ti Me functions as a timer that allows children to set the amount of time they want to play. Once the set time is up, Ti Me rings, indicating that it is time to give others a chance to play with the equipment.

The unique properties of Ti Me lie in its ability to teach children the importance of time management and sharing. By using Ti Me, children learn to respect the allocated time for their play and develop a sense of regularity. This not only enhances their time management skills but also fosters a cooperative and inclusive play environment.

Ti Me is realized using mechanical mechanisms, similar to timers. The materials used in its construction are wood and safe plastics, ensuring the safety and durability of the equipment. The dimensions of Ti Me are 270mm * 270mm * 750mm, while the seats measure 300mm * 300mm * 280mm.

The interaction with Ti Me is simple and intuitive. To set the desired playtime, the child rotates the hat of Ti Me 360 degrees counterclockwise. The further the indicator moves away from the mouth of Ti Me, the longer the playtime is set. Once the indicator returns to its initial position and rests on top of the mouth of Ti Me, the ring sounds, indicating the end of the playtime.

The Ti Me project was initiated in January 2017 in Tehran and completed in March 2017. Extensive research was conducted to understand children's psychology and behavior while playing in playgrounds. The design team also studied children's ergonomics and anthropometry to ensure the equipment's suitability for children.

Ti Me faced several challenges during its design process. The most significant challenge was creating an attractive and interactive appearance that would appeal to children while remaining relevant to its function. Additionally, ensuring the materials used were hygienic and safe for children was a priority.

Ti Me has been recognized for its innovative design and contribution to education and group interactions. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Education, Teaching Aid, and Training Content Design category in 2017. This prestigious award acknowledges designs that exhibit creativity, resourcefulness, and technical excellence, making a positive impact on society.

Ti Me is not just a playground equipment; it is a tool that teaches children valuable life skills. By incorporating time management and turn-taking into play, Ti Me helps children develop a sense of responsibility, cooperation, and respect for others. It is a step towards creating a more harmonious and inclusive play environment for children.