Why I Keep the App Small on Purpose
More isn't better
There's a version of YHO with a hundred activities, a rewards shop, a daily streak, and a leaderboard. I didn't build that one. Here's why.
Clutter costs calm
Every new thing in an app asks for your child's attention. A menu, a badge, a "new!" label, each one is a little pull away from the activity in front of them. Many parents tell me the thing they love about YHO is what it doesn't have. So I listen to that.
Depth over breadth
A few activities, done well, give a child room to go deep. That's where the real focus lives, not in bouncing between forty options. Inspired by Montessori principles, I'd rather one activity be genuinely good than ten be sort of fine.
What I say no to
- Reward loops that turn play into a slot machine
- Endless menus that ask the child to choose instead of do
- Features that exist to look good in a screenshot
A small note
Small is a choice, not a limitation. I could add more. I keep choosing not to, because the calm is the point.
Try it with your child
Montessori Kids has six hands-on activities for ages 2+. One-time purchase, no subscriptions.
Get it on the App StoreRelated guides
On Listening to the Parents Who Email Me
The emails I get from parents shape what I build next. Here's how that actually works.
A Note to the Parents Who Tried YHO First
You downloaded an app with almost no reviews. That's a leap, and I don't take it lightly.
Choosing Slow Growth on Purpose
I chose slow growth on purpose, and I have to remind myself of that often.