A bell marks the time A friend opens a conversation
The short answer
An alarm can mark brush time; a character call can invite your child to talk about the next little step
| An alarm | A reminder | A character call | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A set time | A written note | A little invitation |
| What a child notices | A sound | A message | A character’s voice |
| Room for an answer | Talk with a parent | Talk with a parent | Talk with the character and parent |
| The next step | Try together | Try together | Try together |
| Grown-up’s role | Stay involved | Stay involved | Stay involved |
| Best fit | Mark the time | Keep a note visible | Share a little conversation |
When a bell is enough
A timer can be enough when all you need is a signal that the time has arrived
Find your family’s rhythm
Keep what already works, and make room for a character call when a little conversation would help