What is an app, really?
An app is a helper that lives on a phone. A weather app helps you know if rain is coming. A game app helps you have fun. Every single app helps somebody with something.
APP = a HELPER for SOMEBODY
The 3 dream questions
Ask yourself these 3 questions. Say your answers OUT LOUD to your grown-up. Real names allowed out loud, but remember: real names never go into the computer!
💚 Question 1: WHO?
- Who do you love?
- Granny? Your little brother? Your best friend? Your dog?!
- Pick ONE person (or pet).
😩 Question 2: WHAT'S HARD?
- What makes that person say "aaah, mi tired of this!"?
- What do they always forget?
- What takes them tooooo long?
😄 Question 3: WHAT WOULD HELP?
- What would make them smile?
- A reminder? A game? A counter? A fun fact machine?
- Dream big. Silly counts!
Zara's example
Zara, age 9, picked her granny. Granny always forgets which day to water which plant, and the crotons get droopy. Zara's dream: an app where granny taps a plant and it says "water me on Tuesday!" That is a REAL app idea. Yours will be too.
Catch your idea on paper
- Draw a big circle. Inside it, draw your WHO. (Stick people are perfect. Real artists use stick people all the time.)
- Next to them, draw the PROBLEM. Droopy plant? Lost socks? Forgotten homework?
- Now draw a phone with your helper on the screen. What does it show? Big buttons? A happy face? Stars?
- Give your drawing to your grown-up and explain it in one breath. If they smile, you have got it. 🎉
Quick check!
What does every app idea need FIRST?
Yes! An app is a helper for somebody. Names and computers come later. You already have the most important part: a person and a problem.
✅ Lesson 1 checklist
Finish this to open Lesson 2: Plan it!