Technology in the classroom can be beneficial, but sometimes it leads to a bit of confusion or disruption. Children might accidentally or curiously log in to each other's Ignite by Hatch™ accounts. Ignite offers a simple intervention to help keep children logged in to their own accounts.
The child lock feature found in your teacher dashboard allows you to log a child in and keeps them from logging in to any other child's account by only showing their picture on the child login screen.
Here's an easy-to-follow guide on how to use the child lock feature to keep everyone on track.
How to Enable Child Lock
- Before your child begins playing, tap the gear icon and the numbers in ascending order to enter the teacher area.
- Between the children's pictures and Today's Suggested Play Schedule, you'll notice a toggle for Child Lock. Tap the slider to turn this feature on. (When turned on, the slider will appear green.)
- Now select the child to play from the pictures under Today's Suggested Play Schedule.
- Tap Play Now! and hand the device to the child to play.
Children Playing With Child Lock Enabled
- After you hand the child the tablet, they will automatically be in the treehouse if they've played Ignite in the past.
- From here, they can play the Ignite games by selecting a door to begin. The play experience will remain the same with child lock enabled.
- If the child tries to log out at any time by tapping the stop sign twice, they will notice that the login page only shows their picture. This means they can't log in to any other child's account. There will also be a note that says that child lock mode is enabled.
Managing Child Lock and Switching Children
When you have child lock enabled, you or another adult will need to facilitate child login.
- Once a child is done playing, take the device back.
- To log in a new child, tap the gear icon and the numbers in ascending order to enter the teacher area.
- Select a new child from Today's Suggested Play Schedule.
- Tap Play Now! and hand the device to the child.
Turning Child Lock Off
There are three ways that the child lock feature can be turned off.
- Manually turn off: You can manually turn off child lock by entering the teacher area and tapping the child lock toggle (when turned off, the toggle will appear white). Tap the Play Ignite cloud and you will find all your children's photos on the login screen.
- Automatically turn off (inactive): Child lock will automatically turn off after 5 minutes of inactivity. You can turn it back on by following the steps above.
- Automatically turn off (close app): Child lock will also automatically turn off when you close and then reopen the Ignite app. You can turn it back on by following the steps above.
Why Does Child Lock Automatically Turn Off?
The child lock feature will automatically turn off after 5 minutes of inactivity or if you close and reenter the Ignite app. Child lock is a great way to intervene in particular cases where a child logs in to another's account. However, ensuring that children can play Ignite independently in normal situations is important.