What Happened

Like many 4-year-olds, stubborn. He' distract and resist basic activities, like getting , brushing his teeth, . The Skylight Buddy—’ device from the makers of the popular digital calendar—promised to engage a schedule without me needing to nag.

I was dubious that the Skylight claims. The device is designed for kids 4 to 10, and because recently turned 4, I figured he'd probably still be a little . Also, regardless of age, empowering little kids to autonomously routines and chores is a tall order. However, after almost testing, excited device and complete .

The Skylight 7.5 inches tall, with a 1024 x 600 resolution touchscreen. It has a big, yellow half-circle “select” button and volume controls . speakers ( device), and the bottom base doubles as a dim night-light. included piece is a 't particularly long, so you' a tabletop near an outlet 's room. a silicone case ($20) if you're worried knocking ( a , purple, green, and blue, while the device itself ).

For setup, you’ Skylight app, 'd Skylight's digital calendars or photo frames. section , separate from the calendar. But because I calendar, my son’s appear general Skylight specific Buddy menu. Every to-do I've created section, and when I created each item, choose whether question was a chore or routine. Chores have many details ; ’ family member to complete them. Routines let you choose how often a specific routine should repeat should happen.

Why It Matters

I focused on routines for my 4-year-old, since I’m chores for him. laundry loads and “wash” the dishes (mainly , !), though for now, I’m more interested in him building consistent habits. The routines I created screen under “Morning” and “Evening,” but there’s also an “Afternoon” option for routines you assign .

machine and wake-up features, plus a little night- bottom of the device. You' & Wake menu, sounds and a night-light for bedtime, along with a morning alarm. I tried these features, but they’re not ultimately going to replace ’s routine. The Buddy’s sound options are more limited . -light dim, forward turning 's . Still, a options a sound machine .

I didn't particularly device, but the second we unboxed it, he wanted . He immediately started pushing buttons and trying to scroll around on the screen. I , I explained -screen icon meant, and he actually .

That excitement has stuck around for almost counting. tapping the round corner checkbox to complete his routine items. I remind him sometimes 't yet completed something, which prompts him to uncheck complete , like putting on pajamas, and then running . His favorite part is clicking seeing a shower of emojis (which change each time) recognition of a . activate that congratulatory feature before he actually finishes the tasks, . -clicks the unfinished emojis actually finishing his list. I get the appeal—I wish my laptop's I finish -.

What Comes Next

a Skylight Calendar, it’s . This capability alternate between where they physically —and all changes are reflected on both devices. This is convenient a multi-floor layout, as I do, because running upstairs a morning task may become more of a hindrance than a help.

Speaking of the larger Skylight Calendar, I do, I recommend opting into the Skylight Plus subscription. feature, plus other capabilities, like rewards and meal planning. With the Skylight Buddy, a subscription gets you rewards, timers, and nudges, though the company shares that more subscription features are coming soon. Rewards are definitely chores, but I 4-year- excited about completing the tasks. So far, he hasn't needed any extra features to stay engaged, and he suddenly likes brushing .

The Skylight subscription, Buddy Plus, for $39 a features but don't have a Skylight Calendar. It's cheaper than the Skylight Plus. The Buddy itself is available for $120 a , or $140 for the device alone.

Explore more: Software & AI Guide