A locally developed free app has been created to help families and professionals navigate child development, while giving children more opportunities for play.
Parents today are bombarded with conflicting advice, algorithm-driven content, and long waitlists for support, which is why local occupational therapist Kaitlyn Cummins has created an App designed to turn screen time into an opportunity for active play, learning, and skill-building.
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The Play Way App helps families and professionals navigate child development while giving kids more opportunities for play.
“I created The Play Way App because, as a parent myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to sift through mountains of conflicting advice,” Mrs Cummins said.
“There’s great information out there, but it’s scattered, inconsistent, and often hidden behind paywalls.
“I wanted to create a trusted, evidence-based resource that is completely free and easy to use so families and professionals have immediate access to high-quality guidance whenever they need it.
“I love that my kids can find fun videos on YouTube, but I hate the fact that I can’t always trust what’s going to autoplay next.
“With the Play Way App parents can hand their child a screen without worrying about what they’ll see next.”
Children’s brains develop through active engagement with their environment, yet much of today’s screen content is designed to hold their attention without encouraging participation.
Unlike passive scrolling, The Play Way App is designed to activate the brain in ways that promote problem-solving, creativity, and movement.
Kaitlyn Cummins has created an App designed to turn screen time into an opportunity for active play, learning, and skill-building.
Photo by
Andrea Sissons
“We’re not saying ‘no screens,’ but we want screen time to work for kids, not just entertain them,” Mrs Cummins said.
“The goal is for kids to come away feeling energised, confident, and ready to explore, not restless or disengaged.”
By working with families at The Play Project, which she founded in 2016, Mrs Cummins has identified six foundational pillars that play a critical role in child development: quality sleep, real food, time in nature, movement, love and connection, and free play.
But she said many families struggle to make this part of daily life.
“Most parents I work with deeply value play and child development, but modern life makes it tough,” she said.
“This app is designed to help families find simple, practical ways to embed these foundations into daily routines without adding stress.”
The Play Way App is free and available from Apple App Store, or Google Play.
