Pokemon Smile helps kids practice and improve the following skills:

Focus: Getting started and then maintaining attention and effort to tasks.

Good tooth brushing habits are an important skill that requires focus to ensure that it is being done properly. For young children who might not have their focus skills built up, Pokemon Smile is a great way for them to practice. Because the app directs them exactly where and how vigorously to brush, it holds their attention and allows them to pay attention to “battling” the bacteria rather than simply brushing their teeth. Turning this process into a game is a good way for focus skills to be built up within children of all ages. 

Planning: Developing a systematic approach for setting and achieving goals.

Good dental hygiene means brushing your teeth at least twice a day and Pokemon Smile makes it easy for children to plan for this in their schedule. If set up, the app will send reminders via push notifications so that the user is brushing their teeth at the same time and gets into a healthy routine. For children who struggle with planning or are young and do not have much experience with this skill, set the reminder and make a point of following up with them after they are done brushing. The game element of Pokemon Smile makes it easier to set up the plan because the user is looking forward to catching additional Pokemon in the app or earning extra hats and stickers to decorate their pictures with.