Intro to Routines
Our Routine Builder allows families to create personalized, dynamic routines for every member of the family so that they can anticipate their next steps, strengthen their habits and build independence. Families can build step-by-step routines with visuals inclusive of all reading levels.
Building a Routine
Creating routines on the Companion App allows everyone to view and complete them on the Hearth Display or Hearth Companion App.
To create a Routine:
Open the Hearth Companion App
Tap the teal "+ sign" at the bottom right
Tap Routine
Choose guide me through it, or tap Build routine from scratch
Set the family member’s independence level
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Add the steps for the Routine
Optional: add custom images to each Routine step
Under Repeats, select the days the Routine should appear
Adjust individual step frequency if certain steps should only appear on specific days
Optional: Reorder steps by dragging and dropping them
Tap Save
To make changes later, tap the three dots on the Routine card to edit, copy, or delete the Routine.
How to add images to existing Routine tasks
- Open the Hearth companion app, then tap Routines.
- Tap the Routine you’d like to edit
- Tap the edit icon in the top-right corner.
- Tap the routine step you’d like to add an image to.
- Tap (Optional) Image.
- Choose how you’d like to add an image:
- Take Photo to snap a new picture
- Upload Photo to select from your device
- Choose File for images not saved in your camera roll
- Select your image.
- Tap Save.
Completing a Routine
After creating a Routine using the Companion App, you can complete it by going to the Routines tab on the Hearth Display. There, you will find all of the Routines for the week for each family member. When a Routine is due to start based on the start time set in the Companion App, family members can hit the "start" button.
If multiple children are completing a Routine simultaneously, you can tap the back button to switch between their views. The progress bar will help each child stay on track when they return to their own Routine view.
You can also complete any routine from the mobile Companion App. From the Routines page on the mobile companion app, simply select the routine you wish to complete. From here, you can tap any step to complete it!
Start button not appearing for a Routine
If a Routine’s Start button is missing on your Display, it usually means the Routine is not set to repeat on that day.
To resolve this:
Open the Hearth app and go to Routines
Tap the Routine that is not appearing correctly
Select the Edit icon
Under Repeats, confirm the Routine is scheduled for the current day
Check each step in the Routine and make sure those steps are also set to repeat on the correct days
Tap Save
Refresh the Display
Routine Views
While completing a Routine from the Hearth Display, there are two different views for Routines that take into account the level of independence of a family member. The card view locks and displays the Routine in a sequence, so one task is seen and completed at a time. This view is ideal for family members who require more visual cues and want to focus on one task at a time. In this view, the progress bar shows a visual representation of each step so family members can see what is coming next and what has been completed.
In our List view, a family member can see all of their Routine steps at once and can choose the order of completion. The progress bar fills up as each step is completed.
Stars
Build good habits while turning everyday tasks into little wins! Add Star values to any step of your routines—brushing teeth, packing backpack, or getting ready for bed. Each completed step earns stars that can be redeemed for your family’s custom rewards.
Streaks
Routines includes points of celebration for when steps and full Routines have been completed. When a family member completes their Routine consecutively, a streak icon will appear on the Routines card with the number of completion days. This progress can also be tracked from the Companion App.
Today's Feelings
Today’s Feelings is an additional step to Routines that gives everyone, but especially kids, a space to reflect on their emotions with daily check-ins. Kids can select from emoji-based feelings (like 🥳 Excited or 😌 Calm) right on your Hearth Display or in the app. This feature also provides parents with a clear way to track the feelings their kids are experiencing via the “Insights” page on the mobile app. Check out more about this feature here.
Pausing Routines
If your family needs a break from their normal Routines, you can pause Routines in the Hearth Companion app. It’s perfect for school breaks, holidays, special occasions, and more! Learn more here.
What is the future of Routines?
Routines are designed to create independence, increase ownership, and build habits. The future of Routines includes tracking the progress of habits, and providing ways to save and freeze a streak in case it is accidentally lost or missed.
Check out the video below to get the most out of Routines!
If you are not seeing your Routines refresh or update on your Hearth Display, you can simply pull down from the top of the screen to refresh the Routines page.
For more examples of Routines, feel free to read more on our blog here!