THE PARENT GUIDE
How to use Kidoova with your child
Pick an activity, try it together, and talk about how it went. Here’s how to get started and help without taking over.
Put your phone down while you do the activity. You can save a note afterward.
01 / PARENT GUIDE
Pick an activity together
Start with something your child wants to try. Read the instructions first, then ask if they’re interested. The age groups are a guide, so change the activity to suit your child. You can start anywhere in the library.
“Want to try this, or pick something else?”
For example: Offer a choice you can honor. For a younger child, that might be which cup to use. For an older child, it might be planning one part of tomorrow’s routine.
02 / PARENT GUIDE
Help without taking over
Choose a task your child can have a go at. Explain any safety rules, then let them try. If they get stuck, ask what would help before stepping in. Put your phone down while you do the activity.
“Would you like a hint, or do you want more time?”
For example: If a plan does not work, describe what happened and ask whether they want to change one part. Avoid correcting every step or turning the activity into a lesson.
03 / PARENT GUIDE
It’s okay to stop
Your child can watch first, practice at home, ask for help, or say no. Don’t insist on eye contact, a hug, or talking to someone they don’t know. If they’re upset, stop the activity and focus on what they need.
“We can stop. Do you want me to stay with you?”
For example: If they decline, accept it and try another time if they want to. Persistent worries or distress deserve individual support from a qualified professional; the app is not treatment.
04 / PARENT GUIDE
Be specific about what went well
Tell your child what you saw them do. “You tried turning the piece” says more than “You’re so clever.” Ask what helped, and listen if they experienced it differently. They don’t have to finish the activity for you to have something to talk about.
“You asked for a hint and then tried a different piece. Did that help?”
For example: Swap “You’re so smart” for “You tried turning the piece.” Swap “See, that wasn’t scary” for “What was that like for you?”
05 / PARENT GUIDE
Ask how it went
Afterward, ask what they enjoyed, what was hard, or what they would do differently. They might have a lot to say or nothing at all. In the app, you can choose how they felt and add a note, or just mark the activity as done.
“What would you do differently next time?”
For example: Keep a note that will help you offer support next time: “Wanted to rehearse first” is more useful than a judgment such as “Needs to be braver.”
06 / PARENT GUIDE
Do a favorite again
You don’t have to finish all 15 activities. Repeat the ones your child enjoys, try them in a different situation, or offer less help when they’re ready. There are versions for three age groups, so the instructions change as your child gets older.
“Want to do that again, or try something else?”
For example: The app keeps track of activities you’ve done. Those numbers don’t tell you how confident your child is. You can revisit an activity any time; it only counts once toward your completion total.
Background reading
These resources explain the background. The activities and examples were written for Kidoova; they aren’t a clinically tested program.