I build physical and digital products to make parenting activities more enjoyable.
Help my young children get ready for school and bed
Maker, gift-giver and occasional seller
3 behavioral toy prototypes. A few sales ranging from $40 to $70 per sale
I like to make things to solve my own problems. With two young children of my own, I regularly use my prototypes at home.
The Children’s Checklist is for parents who want a smoother bedtime routine. The concept is not new and our pediatrician actually recommended creating a visual checklist to help us get our son to bed. I found that there were many visual checklists for sale, but most involve reading and abstract reasoning skills that most toddlers don’t have. I also found many to be made out of cheap material, like plastic and paper.
The Children’s Checklist is made out of laser cut wood, digital drawings, vinyl stickers, and magnets. The Children’s Checklist is a product of extensive experimentation with different pictures, layout, materials and many printer jams along the way.
This Toothbrush Motivator is a variation on the Children’s checklist. It helps motivate a child to brush her teeth by offering her a variable reward.
When the child has finished brushing her teeth, she places the toothbrush on the image. A small motor and a magnet then move the toothbrush around and music plays in a different way each day.
This digital ipad app prototype, which I created, has taken the tears and stress out of getting to school on time. The app cycles through a soundtrack, playing joyful songs and reminders that guide our son through the morning routine. Meanwhile, the screen shows completion bars and other visual cues.