Chaos might be an understatement if you’ve ever tried to get out the door on time on a weekday morning with one or more school-aged children. Brili is an app that promises “routine happiness for parents and children.”
We decided to try Brili when our school mornings were overrun with constant reminders, distractions, and difficult transitions. Reminding children what comes next (daily), forgetting important items (weekly), and being late (consistently) were all signs that we needed to try something different.
Of course, waking up earlier was an option, but we want our children to get optimal sleep, use their time wisely, and develop executive function skills.
Executive functioning is a complex mental skill that includes working memory, flexible thinking, and inhibitory control. It is not uncommon for executive functioning to develop slowly or in an asynchronous manner.
“Executive function is responsible for a number of skills, including:
- Paying attention
- Organizing, planning, and prioritizing
- Starting tasks and staying focused on them to completion
- Understanding different points of view
- Regulating emotions
- Self-monitoring (keeping track of what you’re doing)“
The routines we’ve set up through Brili have helped my children maintain focus and go through the process of getting themselves dressed and prepared for the day in a fun and organized way.
PROS
- Skill Development: My children anticipate and predict their next steps and complete tasks in optimal order–precisely the skills that I want them to develop. They often make suggestions and request additions to their routines which make things even more efficient.
- Delayed Gratification: Parents assign a number of stars for each completed activity in the routine. Our children collect and use their earned stars for screen time (TV, tablet games, etc.) and special outings. The star accumulation is immediately visible but they’re learning to set longer-term goals in the process, as the most desired items have the highest start values.
- Visual/Auditory: Pictures and voice prompts allow pre-readers to complete routines without help.
- Parent Mode: Monitor your child’s progress from your mobile device and the app keeps track of each kids’ stats. You can adjust time allotments for each activity as needed. A few months ago, my youngest needed 10 minutes to get dressed and now he’s dressed in 5!
- The Price: You can’t beat $19.99/year!
- No Ads: Freedom from sales pitches and concerns about my children viewing inappropriate ads.
CONS
- Currently, Brili membership includes unlimited devices. However, if you have fewer than one device per child, then sharing is a potential drawback (this is no fault of Brili’s). The app allows for toggling between each child’s routine on the same device, but switching between profiles may be challenging.
- Weeks after preparing this review, I learned that without intervention, Brili plans to shut down due to a database software support issue. If this happens it’ll be a real shame because I don’t think enough parents know about this app and how useful it is. Read more about it HERE.
A variety of routines can be created: after school, bedtime, and chores to name a few. Brili smooths out our mornings, makes routines exciting, and serves as a great encouragement and skill-builder for my children. It keeps them responsible for their own preparation, helps develop good habits, and removes the need to prompt and the urge to remind. I highly recommend it!
Reality Changing Observations:
1. How might a routine app be useful in your home?
2. Do you think technology can be helpful in developing life skills?
3. In what ways can routines influence family life?
