Waiting is a skill that develops slowly. To truly wait, a child needs an understanding of time-not just what “five days” means, but what that amount of time actually feels like, so hearing “only 5 more days!” often means.. nothing at all. For young children, it’s confusing, overwhelming, and almost impossible to wrap their heads around. A simple countdown chain meets them right where they are developmentally. It turns something abstract into something concrete with one link for each day. Each morning, they can remove a link and see the time getting shorter. It’s a respectful, child-centered tool that supports their growing sense of time and reduces frustration for you. When they ask, “How long until..?” you can gently guide them: “Let’s go check the chain.” Do you use paper chains at your house?