The Goodtimer Philosophy
Many parents naturally have questions about Goodtimer. They want to understand how it works, how it was created, and what sets it apart from other parenting solutions. This page offers a summary of the research and methods behind Goodtimer, explaining why it’s so effective at helping kids develop healthy habits compared to other approaches.
What is Goodtimer
Designed for kids ages 2-12, this nine-time award-winning educational platform is all about inspiring children to do their best every day! Goodtimer is an interactive and friendly companion that glows with soothing green lights and encouraging sounds, motivating kids to adopt healthy habits that last.
Watch this unboxing video to see what's included with each Goodtimer, how it works, and how you can use it to promote better behavior.
How does it work
Customize your family's values
Kick things off by using the Goodtimer children’s book or app (available with Goodtimer 2) to set your family's ‘house rules’ for good behavior. Parents can tailor the house rules, for their family's values and the unique needs of each child to address any challenging behavior. Use the included house rules sticker to provide kids with a constant reminder to continue to make good choices.
How does it work
Earn and Spend Tokens
When your child follows the house rules, Goodtimer's 12 glowing segments light up one-by-one showing kids they're earning Good Time. Once all 12 are glowing, Goodtimer does a celebration letting kids now they've earned a token. Kids LOVE spending tokens for fun incentives decided by the family. This automatic allowance provides a tangible incentive for them to keep at it.
How does it work
Addressing Misbehavior
If a house rule gets broken, simply flip Goodtimer over to pause ‘Good Time.’ This tells your child it’s time to address the behavior, and they can can flip it right-side-up again once they’ve made things right. Also, flipping Goodtimer sends a notification to the app, which helps parents log the broken rule and gives behavior-specific tips to help your child learn to make better choices in the future.
How was Goodtimer Developed?
Goodtimer was developed over three years with input from top positive parenting experts, including Jackie Insinger and Dr. Camilo Ortiz. We integrated proven neuroscience principles and modern positive psychology best practices—typically used by behavioral health experts in clinical settings—to create an effective tool for encouraging healthy habits and positive behavior in children.
Why Does it Work?
Keep it positive
The best way to encourage good behavior is to give attention and positive reinforcement when it happens. Praise boosts kids’ self-esteem and motivates them to keep making good choices while punishing bad behavior can harm their confidence. Goodtimer focuses on your child’s positive actions throughout the day providing consistent positive reinforcement and leading to improved behavior that lasts.
Why Does it Work?
Be Mindful
Kids need clear expectations and consistent reminders to form new habits. Goodtimer helps by providing an engaging, constant reminder to stay on task. The Goodtimer children’s book helps your family create ‘house rules’ that reflect your values, and Goodtimer reinforces these rules with positive feedback. Its soothing lights and sounds keep expectations clear throughout the day, while the Goodtimer app lets parents customize and track rules digitally, sending notifications and updates to ensure the whole family stays mindful and engaged.
Why Does it Work?
Meaningful Recognition
The best way to reinforce good behavior is to acknowledge it when it happens but the overuse of rewards can backfire and make kids feel entitled. Goodtimer addresses this challenge by encouraging kids to earn tokens for consistent good behavior over time, not just for individual actions. Also, families have full control over how many tokens kids earn and what they can exchange them for letting kids exchange tokens for rewards they’re excited about.
Why Does it Work?
It's Interactive and Fun
Kids love Goodtimer because it’s fun and interactive. The lights, sounds, and token system make it engaging and help kids understand the connection between their behavior and positive outcomes. Parents love it because it simplifies positive parenting and helps them teach good habits that last.
Why Does it Work?
Positive Discipline with Goodtimer
Goodtimer is an effective positive discipline tool based on proven positive psychology principles. When your child misbehaves, have them flip Goodtimer upside down, pausing 'Good Time.' This gives everyone a chance to cool down and discuss better ways to handle feelings. With Goodtimer 2, the app sends a notification to your phone, indicating which house rule was broken and providing behavior-specific tips. Once your child shows improved behavior, they can flip Goodtimer back and start earning 'Good Time' again, helping them understand their actions and encouraging positive changes.
Goodtimer vs. Chore Charts
Traditional chore / behavior/ reward charts help set expectations and reinforce good behavior but aren’t interactive, engaging, or portable. Goodtimer, on the other hand, belongs to your child, making them responsible for their progress. It provides real-time, interactive feedback, helping kids understand how their behavior affects their performance. Plus, with the Goodtimer app, you have access to a resource library filled with tips and tools to support positive parenting.
Got Questions?
Visit the Goodtimer Help Center for answers to our most frequently asked questions.
