Eugene Park

Kids Action

Visit Kids Action
Demo Web App

Coach Prototypes
Parent Prototypes
2022-2023

Digital Lab Partner

KidsAction Coaching
Special Olympics BC Role

Creative Direction, 
UI, UX design lead






Overview
 KidsAction Coaching is a platform supporting families with children who have Neurodevelopmental Intellectual Disabilities (NDID). Our goal is to provide accessible physical activity programs that promote physical, social, mental, and emotional well-being for these children and their families.

In this project, I led UX research, information architecture design, interaction design, and prototyping. My goal was to create a more intuitive and sustainable behavior management experience and to streamline the activity management workflow that users rely on every day.


ProblemThe existing system had several critical issues:
  • Coaches struggled to quickly find activities that matched each child’s needs.
  • Activity search were unclear, overlapping, and difficult to use.
  • Low app usability led to a high drop-off rate during activity execution.
  • Misalignment in communication between coaches and parents frequently occurred.
  • It was hard to structure activities around clear goals, making progress tracking inconsistent and fragmented.


User goals
  • Enable coaches to quickly discover activities tailored to each child’s profile.
  • Connect activity planning and goal-setting into one cohesive flow.
  • Improve the quality and clarity of communication with parents.


Business goals
  • Increase completion rates for assigned activities.
  • Reduce the time coaches spend managing and assigning activities.
  • Improve overall platform retention among coaches and families.





RESEARCH INSIGHTS


Business goals
  • Through user interviews, workflow observation, and analysis of existing usage data, I identified three key insights:
  • Time pressure is the dominant pain point.
  • Coaches spent an average of 8–12 minutes searching for suitable activities per child.
  • The current taxonomy does not reflect behavioral development levels.
    Activities within the same category were not organized by difficulty, temperament, or developmental stage, making discovery inefficient.
  • Progress tracking is not directly tied to behavior change goals.
    As a result, it was difficult to communicate meaningful progress to parents, which negatively impacted trust and engagement.


INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE





 Low Fidelity Wireframes We created a site map to outline the key pages for the MVP.  Then we outlined the users flows (and various task flows within) to see the UX flow in bird eyes view.



HI-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES








High-fidelity wireframes Visual Feedback & Progress Loop
Enhanced visual feedback to clearly show progress as activities are completed. Unified the views seen by coaches and parents to remove misunderstandings and ensure everyone is aligned on goals and outcomes.

Key Features:

  • Activity Bank Access for Coaches: Coaches can access the activity bank to search for the right activities for each child, complete with guidelines, scheduling options, and goal-setting features.
  • Activity Tracking for Students and Parents: Students and their caregivers practice the assigned activities and log them in the activity tracker, making it easy to monitor progress.
  • Satisfaction Feedback: After each practice session, students and parents can mark their level of satisfaction. This feedback serves as a valuable resource for coaches to tailor future activities.
  • Achievement Badges: As students continue practicing and advancing, they earn achievement badges as rewards. This system motivates them to stay engaged and recognizes their accomplishments.






Prototypes




Parent’s Flow

  • View Assigned Activities: Parents log into the KidsAction app to view the activities scheduled by the coach for their child.
  • Practice Activities with Child: They assist their child in practicing the assigned activities, following the provided guidelines to ensure proper execution.
  • Log Activity Completion: After each practice session, parents mark the activity as completed in the activity tracker within the app.
  • Provide Satisfaction Feedback: Parents and children indicate the satisfaction level of the practice, offering valuable feedback for the coach.
  • Monitor Progress: They can easily monitor their child's progress and see any achievement badges earned, helping to motivate continued participation.
  • Communicate with Coach: Parents can communicate with the coach offline to discuss progress, address concerns, or adjust activities as needed.

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    Prototypes




    Coach’s Flow

    • Access Activity Bank: Coaches log into the KidsAction app and access the activity bank to find suitable activities for each child.
    • Search and Select Activities: They search for the right activities using filters and guidelines tailored to the child's specific needs and goals.
    • Schedule Activities and Set Goals: Coaches schedule the selected activities and set achievable goals, providing a structured plan for the child and family.
    • Monitor Activity Tracker: Coaches keep track of each child's progress through the activity tracker, which logs completed activities and satisfaction levels.
    • Review Feedback: They review the satisfaction feedback provided by the parents and children to understand how well the activities are working.
    • Adjust Activities as Needed: Based on progress and feedback, coaches can adjust the activity plan to better suit the child's needs or introduce new challenges.
    • Communicate with Families: Coaches communicate with parents and caregivers to offer support, provide guidance, and address any questions.




    Admin Workflow- Prototypes






    1. Activity Tracker







    Activity tracker for coach and familly

    One of our key features is the activity tracker, thoughtfully positioned prominently on the dashboard. It enables coaches and families to effortlessly monitor activities and track progress with ease. If an activity level doesn't align with the child's capabilities or is difficult to follow, the coach can identify this through the tracker, facilitating smoother and more effective communication with families.



    2. Characters & Badges for Achievement






     

    Characters & Badge system
    To enhance engagement, we introduced a Characters & Badges Achievement System within the KidsAction app. This gamified feature rewards children for their participation and milestones, making physical activity more enjoyable and motivating. The characters are thoughtfully designed to be culturally sensitive and inclusive, reflecting the rich diversity of the communities we serve. By celebrating each achievement, we foster motivation and a sense of accomplishment, contributing significantly to the overall success of the program.



    3. Goals





    SMART Goals

    An essential component of the KidsAction app is the ability to set up SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives. Coaches use this framework to create personalized goals for each child, ensuring that activities are tailored to their unique needs and abilities. 

    By establishing clear and attainable targets, both families and coaches can track progress effectively. This structured approach not only enhances motivation but also provides a roadmap for success, helping children experience growth and a genuine sense of accomplishment throughout their journey.


    Design system








    Design System & Style guide


    To ensure a consistent and accessible user experience across all devices, we developed a comprehensive Design System and a Fully Responsive Design Guide for the KidsAction app. The design system includes standardized components, color schemes, typography, and iconography—all tailored to meet the needs of children with NDID and their families. By adhering to responsive design principles, the app provides an optimal viewing experience on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. This allows users to access resources, track progress, and engage with the community anytime, anywhere. Our commitment to a fully responsive design ensures inclusivity and enhances usability, making the app a valuable tool for all users.

    Conclusion
    &Reflection


     KidsAction Coaching represents a significant advancement in supporting families with children who have Neurodevelopmental Intellectual Disabilities. By developing an accessible, culturally sensitive app that integrates seamlessly with existing community initiatives, we have addressed a critical gap in physical activity programs for these families. The inclusion of engaging features like the Characters & Badges System for Achievement, along with a comprehensive Design System and Fully Responsive Design Guide, ensures that our platform is user-friendly and effective across all devices.

    Through this project, we have not only enhanced the physical and social development of children with NDID but also positively impacted their mental and emotional well-being. By empowering families and fostering a supportive community, KidsAction Coaching exemplifies how thoughtful design and inclusivity can drive meaningful change. We are proud to contribute to a more inclusive society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.