How Nami Kids' Pedagogical Pause works
An educational break during app use
The Pedagogical Pause is the feature of Nami Kids, the educational parental control for children aged 6–12, that gets your child doing something during use: a story with a quiz or a real-world task. The parent chooses after how many minutes of use it starts; the total time doesn't change.
Why we created the Pedagogical Pause
Many games and apps for children are designed without a natural stopping point: levels that unlock, rewards, videos that start on their own. For a child aged 6–12, stopping alone in the middle of a game is hard; often the stop only comes when the daily time runs out, and it can turn into an argument.
The Pedagogical Pause creates that stopping point within the session, at intervals chosen by the parent. Instead of a locked screen, your child finds Nami and chooses what to do: a short interactive story with a quiz, or a task to do away from the screen. After the pause, they can go back to the game.
The rules stay with the parent, and they work best when explained to the child before they are switched on. Pause content is reviewed by pedagogists. We do not yet have studies measuring the effects of the Pedagogical Pause: we describe what it does, not results we cannot prove.
How it works, step by step
The parent sets free time and pause frequency
In Nami Parents you choose the daily free time and after how many minutes of use the pause arrives, for example every 30. Nami Kids shows your child how much time is left.
The game stops: an interactive story with Nami
When the interval is reached, the game stops and Nami appears. Your child can choose a short interactive story, with scenes to read and a quiz with the correct answer at the end.
Or a task in real life
Alternatively, the pause can be a task assigned by the parent, such as making the bed or reading 10 pages. Your child marks it as done and the parent sees it in Nami Parents.
Example: a pause every 30 minutes
A parent can set a pause every 30 minutes of screen use in monitored games and apps. The interval refers to the use being tracked, rather than a break every 30 minutes of the day. The pause is part of the session, not a story that only starts when the daily screen allowance ends.
The types of pause
In Nami Parents the parent chooses how the pause works:
- No pause: your child can use the device without interruptions.
- Timed pause: a break of a set number of minutes.
- Pause with a lesson or task: the pause ends when your child completes a lesson or a task.
- Combined pause: a longer pause of 20, 40 or 60 minutes that gets shorter when your child completes a lesson.
What the parent sets
Nami Parents is installed on the parent's Android device and Nami Kids on the child's Android phone or tablet. The parent chooses the usage rules and pause intervals. Explain the rules to your child before using them and leave room for play, rest and activities away from screens.
Educational content and evidence
Pedagogists review Nami's lessons and editorial articles. The pauses aim to bring educational activities into screen use. We don't yet have studies measuring the effects of the Pause: we describe it for what it does.
To set your family's rules, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers a family media use plan.
Availability and price
Both devices need Android. Nami offers a 14-day free trial, then €5.99 per month or €49.99 per year. Check the download page for language availability.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Pedagogical Pause start?
When your child reaches the usage interval chosen by the parent in monitored apps, for example every 30 minutes. What counts is the time of use, not the time of day.
How long does a pause last?
It depends on the type chosen: a timed pause lasts the minutes set; a pause with a lesson or task ends when your child completes it; the combined pause (20, 40 or 60 minutes) gets shorter if your child completes a lesson.
What does my child do during the pause?
They choose with Nami an interactive story with a quiz, or a real-world task such as tidying their room or reading a few pages.
Can the pause be turned off?
Yes. The parent can choose “No pause” or change the frequency and type of pause at any time from Nami Parents.
What do I need to use it?
Nami Kids is installed on the child's Android phone or tablet and Nami Parents on the parent's Android device. After a 14-day free trial it costs €5.99 per month or €49.99 per year.