I am sceptical when it comes to whizzy new learning methods with quick-fix promises, so when I was sent a set of Aramazu: ‘a new way to learn the time’ books I did not jump to try them out. But hey, this really does work. I sat down with my 6 year old (who can just about get ‘o’clock’) and we read through the three books together. Half an hour later she proudly demonstrated ‘25 past’ and ‘7 minutes to’ to her astonished father. There is a mantra, of course, “foot, foot, finger – which minute, which ladder, which hour?” Gibberish? It works for us!

The Learn to Tell the Time Right Now Book (for children who can count to 60), with detachable practice clock and exercises. Skyla Publishing, £6.99. www.aramazu.com