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In 2022 my kids got their first Yoto players. They were 4 and 6 at the time, and Yoto rapidly became a part of our day to day routine. We have stuck with Yoto over the last few years and I have enjoyed watching how the use has changed as the children grew.
There is lots of information out there about how the Yoto is great for young children, but how does Yoto play a part in the lives of kids who are over 8 years old? It has aways been advertised as a screen free device that will grow with your children, but I often hear people dismiss it for their kids as they think “my children would be too old for a Yoto”. I’m here to tell you that your wrong, and what life with a Yoto looks like for tweens and early teens.
What Can Older Kids Do With A Yoto Player?
Age Appropriate Audio Books
In the last 2 years Yoto have expanded their Yoto card library immensely. There is a huge range of Yoto cards to suit all ages, but the biggest difference is in the cards designed for older kids. Children can now be immersed in the world of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson or listen to the works of authors such as Tom Fletcher or David Walliams.
Although older children can read and often enjoy reading, it is a different experience to being read to. Kids are working hard at school and in extra curricular activities and often want the ability to just switch off and enjoy a story. We don’t use audio books as an alternative to reading together, but it is an additional activity.
With Yoto’s card library, kids can choose stories that suit their interests and immerse themselves into a world other than their own.
You can check out these Yoto Cards For All Ages to find audiobooks for your family
Music
The Yoto radio is often the first port of call for those wanting to listen to music on the Yoto, and while it is enjoyable, it’s not the only option. Make Your Own cards are a great way to let your kids have access to the music they like in a controlled way. The Yoto has no access to the internet for the kids, so unlike using a smart speaker there is no way for them to listen to something you don’t don’t give prior approval to. Simply make them a card with the songs they love and let them loose!
Podcasts
Although there are podcasts aimed at all ages (I’m looking at you Cbeebies!), I have found that the concept was a bit lost on them until they got a bit older.
The discover section on the Yoto app is full of podcast the fulfill pretty much every child’s interests. Favourites in our house include “Is That True?” and “Moment of Um”, both of which appeal to the inquisitive side of tweens.
There are also podcasts aimed at helping busy minds fall asleep, as well as the Yoto Daily podcast which is a hit with all ages.
Using A Yoto Player To Increase Independence In Older Children
Over the last year our Yoto players have become more than just audio players. As children grow it is nice to be able to give them more independence, and the Yoto has features that can help with that.
Alarm Clock
Gone are the days where they are up at the crack of dawn, instead I would often find myself dragging them out of bed for school and everyone starting the day a bit grumpy.
Yoto offers a nice alternative to this with the alarm clock feature. You can set multiple alarms for different days at different times, and choose the alarm sound you would like. We use the Yoto radio for a relatively gentle wake up, and it plays for 5 minutes before switching off (Yoto – please make this longer, 5 minutes just isn’t quite enough).
Allowing the Yoto to do the actual waking means that tensions are not as high when I go in to haul them out of bed and downstairs for breakfast. It lets them feel like they are in control, while still doing what you require.
Timers
Yoto has 3 timers on the app – 2 minutes, 5 minutes and 30 minutes. Although Yoto has assigned reasons for these but we largely disregard that and pick them based on the time we need. The 5 minute timer is perfect for tidying the bedroom up, work hard for 5 minutes and then it will be done quickly. The 30 minute timer serves as a screen time alert. Once the timer is done then games consoles go off for the day.
Having timers that children can set themselves (by using MYO cards linked to the timer) gives them your trust that they can do what is expected of them, a little taste of the independence they crave so much.
Yoto players are truly suitable for kids of all ages. I can see them continuing to feature in our lives for years to come, and always look forward to new cards being released. Yoto players are a great gift for tweens, mine love it and I hope yours do too.
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