Question 1

How are the stories made?

Accepted Answer

Every story starts with a hand-built seed — a story framework designed around child development research (bibliotherapy, attachment theory, or social narrative approaches). You choose the seed, add your child's details, and a unique story is written just for them. Content filters check for safety, and you approve every word before your child hears it.

Question 2

Isn't AI-written content for kids exactly what I should be avoiding?

Accepted Answer

The flood of low-effort AI content is real, and the honest difference is who's accountable. AI writes the first draft, inside a hand-built story framework with safety filters on both sides of it. Then it stops being AI's story: you read every word, edit anything, and nothing is narrated until you press approve. If a draft isn't right, reject it and your credit comes back. The last check on every story is a parent, not a model.

Question 3

Can stories really help with things like school nerves or big feelings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When your child hears a story about a character going through something similar (starting school, adjusting to a new sibling, feeling anxious at bedtime) they see that someone like them got through it. There's no lesson bolted on, just a story where things work out — and that can shift how they feel about their own situation. Each story comes with a short guide so you know how to talk about it afterwards.

Question 4

What research is behind this?

Accepted Answer

Every story type is grounded in a specific area of child development research. Stories for tricky moments (new sibling, bedtime worries, big feelings) draw on bibliotherapy — using stories to help children process what they're going through. Learning stories are built on inquiry-based learning and growth mindset research. Bonding stories use attachment theory: the idea that connection and security are built through shared rituals. And our support stories for neurodivergent children are based on social narrative approaches. There's a full breakdown on our research page.

Question 5

How is this different from other story apps?

Accepted Answer

Most AI story apps start with a blank prompt and produce a generic "your child is the hero" story. Gently Told starts with the moment your child is living through, then uses one of 45 hand-built story seeds across 5 research tiers. The result is a fully produced audio story (narration, background music, MP3 download and optional Yoto sync) that you review before your child hears it.

Question 6

What ages is this for?

Accepted Answer

Gently Told is designed for children ages 3–7. Stories automatically adjust vocabulary, complexity and length based on your child's age. Younger children (3–4) get shorter stories (~4–5 minutes) with simpler language, while older children (5–7) get longer stories (~5–6 minutes) with more going on — deliberately kept close to bedtime length, so every story ends before attention runs out.

Question 7

Does my child need a screen — or a Yoto?

Accepted Answer

Neither. After you approve a story on your phone, it syncs straight to a Yoto MYO card, so they listen with no screen in the room. No Yoto? Listen in-app, or download the MP3 and play it on any speaker or in the car.

Question 8

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Your first story is free, no credit card required. After that, you buy story credits in packs: 3 stories for US$4.99, 10 for US$14.99, or 25 for US$29.99. Each story includes narration, background music and a parent discussion guide. No subscription — buy when you need them, use them whenever you like. Credits never expire. Prices shown in USD and processed securely by Stripe.

Question 9

Can I have multiple children on one account?

Accepted Answer

Yes — create a separate profile for each child, with their own age-appropriate story seeds, personal story library and appearance details. Story credits are shared across the whole family.

Question 10

Do the stories repeat?

Accepted Answer

No — every story is written from scratch around your child's profile and choices. Even choosing the same story seed twice produces two completely different adventures.

Question 11

What are the series names on the books?

Accepted Answer

Each kind of story has its own series, the way a publisher names an imprint. The Growing Series is for the hard weeks (bibliotherapy), The Wondering Series for curiosity (inquiry-based learning), The Together Series for connection (attachment theory), The Quiet Series for neurodivergent listeners (social narratives), and The Elsewhere Series for pure imagination. The names live on the covers and spines; everywhere else we just say what the story is for.

Question 12

Can this help my neurodivergent child?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our Support tier is designed for neurodivergent children, using the social narrative approaches from published research on social stories. Stories keep a predictable shape, name feelings plainly, and give your child a calm run-through of a routine before the real thing. Every child is different, though — Gently Told works alongside any professional support you have, it doesn't stand in for it.

Question 13

What happens to my child's information?

Accepted Answer

You create the account and every child profile — we never collect information from children directly, and we don't ask for last names, addresses, photos, or location. Your child's first name, age and preferences are used for one thing: making their stories. We never sell data, never show ads to children, and don't train AI on your personal data without consent. You can review or delete everything we hold about your child at any time. Full details on our privacy page — we're COPPA compliant in the US and Privacy Act 2020 compliant in NZ.

Question 14

Can I use it for serious behavioural issues?

Accepted Answer

Gently Told is a supportive tool for common childhood challenges — potty training, new sibling, separation anxiety, big emotions. It's not a replacement for professional support. For serious behavioural concerns, we recommend consulting a child psychologist or therapist.

The ones parents ask.

The first story is free.