playbo.

The story of playbo.

It all begins with a growing concern: preschoolers aged 3–5 are experiencing delays in social-emotional development, largely due to increased tech use and fewer real-world interactions. Based on research and expert interviews, we’ve created a low-tech, community-driven service that helps children build these essential skills outside the classroom.

What did we do?

During our research, we conducted interviews and in-depth discussions with preschool educators, child development psychologists and specialists, and parents to better understand the challenges faced by preschoolers. Here are the valuable insights we gained from our research:

The rise of screen time has educators worried about its impact on preschoolers’ development. It limits hands-on play, imagination, and face-to-face interaction—crucial for building empathy, emotional regulation, and social skills.
Educators have noticed a troubling trend: more preschoolers are struggling with key developmental milestones, especially in behavior and emotional regulation—like sharing, taking turns, and working with others.
In the wake of the tech age and COVID-19, parents struggle to help preschoolers build friendships. Hectic schedules, fewer in-person interactions, and playdate challenges limit social time outside the classroom.