The Problem
Today's technology plays a vital role in daily life, with children increasingly exposed to digital experiences from an early age. Prioritizing kids’ cognitive, social, and emotional development, this project aims to create experiences that make tech time healthy and enjoyable for parents and young children alike.
Babies and Screen Time: New Research Calls for Caution
"Parents should use entertaining, collaborative activities that stimulate cognitive function as alternatives to attention-harming tech exposure. Without these vital engagements, children’s theta-to-beta wave ratios are often higher, indicating a less alert state associated with inattention."
App Solution
Introducing Rubbish Rascal, a kids toy + app that help kids learn how to clean up! As established through market research, parents AND kids truly value creative, hands-on projects. Rubbish Rascal allows kids to make whatever kind of creation they can dream of! This self-contained toy is brilliant for inside or outside, anywhere, and anytime. It’s a fun, productive tool that also offers much-needed relief to tired parents.
Onboarding
We know your time is valuable, so onboarding is quick and easy! Users are greeted by Darwin, on of the Tasks, and asked to input their name and scan their toy. This information ensures personalised, well-documented play.
Challenges
Rascal encourages kids to clean their environments through various challenges. The first challenge asks them to try cleaning with their toy for five minutes. An adjustable timer counts down until cleaning is completed.
Research Report
Getting in touch with a local preschool and interviewing parents and teachers gave me clear looks into specific examples of children's' and parents' experiences with play. I also used Instagram to get a wider survey of general sentiments towards kids games.
These insights informed the creation of user personas and word clouds. Analysing these data allowed me to distill three key insight statements, which fueled my product strategy and presentation.
Parents give their kids screen time because it is an easy, simple way to distract and relax young ones when they are tired.
Parents enjoy engaging in non-tech activities with their kids in ways that are creative, clean and easy.
Children tend to enjoy physical activities that involve imagination like tag, hopscotch, and puzzles.
