Can children use All Set before they can read?

Yes. Children do not need to be able to read to use All Set. Each task can be recognised by its picture, and a child can tap Hear it to hear the instruction aloud.

Which is handy when they can identify the exact sound of a snack packet opening from three rooms away, but “please put your shoes on” has apparently disappeared into the atmosphere.

How does All Set work for a child who cannot read yet?

Every job appears as a visual task card.

The child can:

1. Look at the picture.
2. Tap Hear it to hear the task spoken aloud.
3. Do the job.
4. Tick it off.
5. See their progress update.

The written label is still there, but the child does not have to decode it to understand the routine.

Why use both a picture and spoken audio?

A picture gives the child a quick visual clue. Spoken audio confirms what the job is.

That combination can be more useful than a written checklist for a younger child or early reader. It also means the parent does not have to stand beside the board and read every task aloud each time.

All Set gives the child somewhere to check. It does not guarantee that they will complete every job without help, and it is not a clinical or therapeutic tool.

What kinds of pictures should parents choose?

Choose an image your child can connect to the actual job.

Simple, familiar pictures usually make more sense than decorative ones. A toothbrush can represent brushing teeth. A toilet can represent going to the toilet. Shoes can represent putting shoes on.

All Set includes a built-in and growing picture library. Parents can also upload their own photos or request a missing image.

A personal photo may be useful when a general symbol is not clear enough. For example, a photo of the child’s school bag may be easier to recognise than a generic backpack.

Can a parent change the words used for a task?

Yes. Parents create and edit the jobs in their family’s routines, so the task name can match the words used at home.

Keep it brief and specific. “Pack school bag” gives a clearer next step than “Get everything organised for the day”. The second one may be technically accurate, but it also sounds like a request I would personally avoid before coffee.

How does a child know what is finished?

Children tick off each job when it is done.

All Set shows completed jobs and updates the child’s progress. A finished step can also trigger a silly sound or visual celebration such as confetti, depending on the household’s settings.

One early customer said her children were keen to reach the sounds and click their completed jobs. That is an encouraging report from one family, rather than a guaranteed result for every child.

Can the tasks be completed in a set order?

Yes. Parents can set a routine so jobs need to be completed in the displayed sequence, or allow children to complete them in any order.

One early customer reported that the locked order and surprise sounds worked well for her child because the next step was clear. Again, that is one household’s experience, but it shows why the order setting may matter for some families.

Use a fixed order when the sequence genuinely matters. Use any order when it does not. Nobody needs an additional argument about whether socks must happen before hair.

Does an adult still need to help?

Sometimes, yes.

A pre-reader may be able to identify, hear and tick off many familiar jobs but still need help with harder tasks, transitions or using the device. All Set is designed to make the routine visible and repeatable. It is not a promise that a young child will suddenly manage the whole morning alone.

The Parent PIN protects the settings area, but it does not lock a child inside the browser. Device features such as Guided Access on Apple devices or app pinning on supported Android devices may help, depending on what you use.

What device does a pre-reader need?

All Set is a browser-based web app and needs an internet connection.

A shared tablet or iPad placed where the routine happens is likely to be easier for a young child than a computer with a mouse or a parent’s phone. All Set has been successfully tested on iPadOS 16.4. Other devices and browsers vary, so check the supported device information if you are unsure.

Can siblings use it together?

Yes. All Set has a shared family screen as well as an individual screen for each child.

That means a pre-reader can see their own pictures and hear their own jobs while siblings keep separate progress in the same family routine. Read how All Set works for more than one child.

For help planning the routine itself, start with the practical guide to visual routines for families with multiple young children.

The short version

Children do not need to read to use All Set.

Pictures show the job. The Hear it button says it aloud. The child can tick it off and see what is done. They may still need adult help, because they are children and not tiny project managers, but the next step does not have to exist only in Mum’s head.

See how All Set works and check whether your family’s device is suitable before purchasing.