Please find answers to commonly asked questions about Sparkler. If these answers don’t help, you can email us for help: support@playsparkler.org.
Families' Questions about Sparkler
What is Sparkler?
Sparkler is a nonprofit family engagement and support organization. We work with families with children prenatal to age five, as well as with providers serving those families.
What is Sparkler's Mission and Vision?
Mission:
Sparkler’s mission is to help parents, caregivers, and providers harness the science of early childhood brain development to help children thrive in the early years and beyond.
Vision:
Equity: ALL families will have easy access to developmental screening, information, referrals, and support for their children.
Knowledge and Action: ALL families will have the tools they need to understand how their children are developing, and to spark healthy early development and connections through play.
Working better together: Organizations will work systematically with each other and with the families they serve to engage and support ALL parents, caregivers, and young children.
What languages is Sparkler available in?
Sparker's mobile app is currently available in English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified Chinese), French, and Arabic.
The Sparkler dashboard (for providers) is available in English.
How much does Sparkler cost?
Sparkler is free to families because it is paid for by organizations (e.g., governments, schools, non-profit organizations) serving families.
How does Sparkler uphold privacy and security?
Sparkler treats families’ data carefully, preserving their privacy and keeping data safe and secure. Sparkler does not sell or rent any Personal Information to any third-party for any purpose — including for advertising or marketing purposes. Third-party advertising does not happen in Sparkler. We use the information we collect to provide families with the best Sparkler experience. We ask parents to share information that is necessary to provide them with the correct play content and screenings based on their children’s age. We ask for contact details (such as email and phone number) to contact and support families.
Sparkler is made available to parents and caregivers through Sponsoring Partners, defined in our Privacy Policy. Sponsoring Partners include, but are not limited to, early childhood centers, daycares, schools, school readiness organizations, school districts, health care organizations, home visiting agencies, and social service agencies. These organizations are subject to The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), or similar policies that align with the limitations and responsibilities laid out in Sparkler’s Privacy Policy and associated terms of use.
In signing up for Sparkler, parents often consent to sharing their information with the Sponsoring Partner serving them or their family, which gives the partner the ability to see the family’s information, engage with, and support the family.
Here is Sparkler’s Privacy Policy, which outlines how Sparkler protects families’ data.
Does Sparkler have other policies?
Please learn more by reading Sparkler’s policies:
What age group is Sparkler for?
Sparkler serves parents/caregivers with children from prenatal through age 5.
Sparkler is an app for PARENTS — meant to guide parents and caregivers as they engage with their children. It is not an app for children. Families will see new content in the app as their children get older.
What’s on the Sparkler app?
Sparkler’s mobile app offers parents with young children (prenatal – age 5):
- Developmental screening (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2) to check in on a child’s development
- A customizable library of 2000+ playful activities
- A customizable library of evidence-based tips for parents
- Connection with professionals (teachers, healthcare providers, home visitors, care coordinators, etc. who can help)
How can a family register for the Sparkler mobile app?
First, you need to download the app. You can do this by scanning a Sparkler QR code or going to the app store or the google play store to download the app.
To create a new account and register, tap "Create a New Account."
To link with your school or program, enter the access code for your school or program. Some users can scan a QR code to link directly with their school/program.
Follow the steps to set up your account and your child's profile.
You can add multiple children, age 5 and under, to your Sparkler profile. But you add one at a time!
Different partner organizations have different requirements. For example, some require Sparkler to ask families for their phone numbers and others do not. So the signup process will be slightly different, depending on the city/state/community YOU are part of.
Why does Sparkler ask for the child’s birthday and prematurity if under 2?
Sparkler assigns play content and screenings based on children’s ages. For children under two, the correct screening is determined by the birth date and the child’s prematurity. In order to see the correct screening and appropriate play content, it’s important for parents to share the correct birth date and prematurity at registration. If a parent makes a mistake, they can change their child’s birth date on the Sparkler mobile app:
- Navigate to Settings ⚙️ in the top right corner.
- Select My Account.
- Choose your child’s profile.
- Change Date of Birth and set prematurity (if applicable).
- Select “Confirm Changes.”
Can families link up with multiple programs?
Yes, families can link to multiple programs and share their information with various schools, home visitors, or other programs/providers. They will need a unique cohort code for each program.
Here’s how to add an organization or program on your Sparkler mobile app:
- Navigate to the “Home” 🏠 screen.
- Scroll down and select the grey box titled “[Child’s Name]’s Program(s)”.
- Tap on “Add to a new program” under “Cohorts.”
- Enter your program’s unique cohort code.
- Choose “Submit.”
- Select “Confirm Changes.”
- Select “Agree and Continue.”
- Tap on the back arrow to exit.
To delete an organization or program:
- Follow the instructions above to find the cohort you wish to delete.
- Tap the trash can icon 🗑️.
- Choose “Remove.”
- Select "Confirm Changes."
- Select “Agree and Continue.”
- Tap on the back arrow to exit.
Where do the play and tips for adults in Sparkler come from?
Sparkler’s play and tip content is created by experts in early childhood education and development. Some content is original and some is adapted from local or national partners. For example, Sparkler offers adaptations of ASQ intervention activities, created by Brookes Publishing (the publisher of the ASQ) as well as summaries of the CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early milestones.
Sparkler's Education Director is Dana Stewart. She is a longtime teacher and preschool leader, who oversees and maintains the Sparkler library.
What is the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)?
The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a screening tool that helps parents and providers understand a child's development. Sparkler licenses the ASQ from Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc., the publisher of the questionnaire. It provides access to the ASQ for families who register through partner organizations that fund the screenings. Learn more about the ASQ on Sparkler’s website.
Can I add another Parent or Caregiver to my account?
Parents/caregivers who have Sparkler accounts can link with other caregivers (such as another parent, a grandparent, or a babysitter) in Sparkler. This allows two grown-ups involved in a child’s life to collaborate using Sparkler. Only the primary account holder (the first parent who created the child) will see the screening and messaging, but all linked caregivers can see and contribute to the child’s history of play with Sparkler.
How to add another parent or caregiver:
- Navigate to the Settings ⚙️ icon in the top right corner.
- Select My Account.
- Click Add New in the top right corner.
- Choose Invite an Adult.
- Enter their email address.
- Allow access to the child account.
Once you complete these steps, the parent or caregiver will receive an invitation via email.
How can I add multiple children to my account?
Parents can add multiple children (from prenatal to 5 years old) to their Sparkler account.
How to add a child:
- Navigate to the Settings ⚙️ icon in the top right corner.
- Select My Account.
- Click Add New in the top right corner.
- Add a Child.
If your child is in a different cohort than his/her sibling, be sure to enter a new cohort code to link with the new program.
How does messaging work on the mobile app?
Under "Connect," parents/caregivers can send and receive messages from Sparkler and their connected provider(s). When a provider sends a message, families receive it as a push notification. Families can respond to this message, and their replies go to the Sparkler dashboard where their provider can view and respond to them.
Does a family need WiFi to use Sparkler?
A parent or caregiver must connect to the internet to download the Sparkler app, to receive messages, or to upload a new ASQ. Once the app is downloaded, however, they can play, read tips units, and work on ASQs while offline.
How can a family switch from English to another language?
When you download the Sparkler app, it will appear in the language your device is set to as your primary language.
If you want to see the app in another language:
- Navigate to the Settings ⚙️ icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Language."
- Choose your language.
- Select the back arrow in the top left corner.
- Confirm language switch.
How can I delete my account?
Before you delete, please be aware that this will permanently erase you and your child’s data and you will no longer be able to access Sparkler records about your child’s growth.
How to delete:
- Sign in to your Sparkler account.
- Tap on the Settings gear ⚙️ in the top right corner.
- Select "Support."
- Choose "Remove my Account."
Providers' Questions about Sparkler
What is Sparkler?
Sparkler is a nonprofit family engagement and support organization. Sparkler works with organizations serving families with young children in order to help them support and engage the families they serve. Sparkler provides two main platforms: (a) a mobile app for families to help them monitor and support their children's early learning and development and (b) a web-based dashboard for providers to help providers engage with the families they serve.
What is Sparkler's Mission and Vision?
Mission:
Sparkler’s mission is to help parents, caregivers, and providers harness the science of early childhood brain development to help children thrive in the early years and beyond.
Vision:
Equity: ALL families will have easy access to developmental screening, information, referrals, and support for their children.
Knowledge and Action: ALL families will have the tools they need to understand how their children are developing, and to spark healthy early development and connections through play.
Working better together: Organizations will work systematically with each other and with the families they serve to engage and support ALL parents, caregivers, and young children.
What languages is Sparkler available in?
Sparker's mobile app is currently available in English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified Chinese), French, and Arabic.
The Sparkler dashboard (for providers) is available in English. From the dashboard, providers are able to download Sparkler play activity handouts in all available languages. They are also able to download ASQ reports for families in all available languages.
If a provider speaks a language other than English, they can use a Chrome browser to translate the dashboard.
How much does Sparkler cost?
Providers pay for Sparkler in order to make it free for the families they serve. If you're a government, nonprofit, school, or other program interested in providing Sparkler, please fill out this form to learn more.
How does Sparkler uphold privacy and security?
Sparkler treats families’ data carefully, preserving their privacy and keeping data safe and secure. Sparkler does not sell or rent any Personal Information to any third-party for any purpose — including for advertising or marketing purposes. Third-party advertising does not happen in Sparkler. We use the information we collect to provide families with the best Sparkler experience. We ask parents to share information that is necessary to provide them with the correct play content and screenings based on their children’s age. We ask for contact details (such as email and phone number) to contact and support families.
Sparkler is made available to parents and caregivers through Sponsoring Partners, defined in our Privacy Policy. Sponsoring Partners include, but are not limited to, early childhood centers, daycares, schools, school readiness organizations, school districts, health care organizations, home visiting agencies, and social service agencies. These organizations are subject to The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), or similar policies that align with the limitations and responsibilities laid out in Sparkler’s Privacy Policy and associated terms of use.
In signing up for Sparkler, parents often consent to sharing their information with the Sponsoring Partner serving them or their family, which gives the partner the ability to see the family’s information, engage with, and support the family.
Here is Sparkler’s Privacy Policy and Terms, which outlines how Sparkler protects families’ data.
Does Sparkler have other policies?
Please learn more by reading Sparkler’s policies:
What is Sparkler’s dashboard?
Schools/home visitors/family resource centers/healthcare providers/other professionals can use Sparkler’s Web-based Dashboard to monitor and engage with families. They can:
- Download data & reports
- Understand individual families’ engagement/needs
- Send and receive messages
- Identify play activities/parent tips to support early childhood development
It is important to understand that Sparkler's mobile application is for parents/caregivers while the Sparkler dashboard is for providers. There is NOT currently a Sparkler mobile app for providers. A provider who has his/her own young child might have an app account on Sparkler, but the log in information would be different (i.e., the associated email and password might be different).
How can a Provider access the Sparkler Dashboard?
Dashboard accounts are available only to providers who have partnered with Sparkler.
- If you have not yet registered as a partner, please fill out the Partner With Us form to get started.
- If you are an educator/other provider who needs dashboard access who is part of an existing Sparkler partner, please reach out to your organization or to Sparkler (support@playsparkler.org) to gain access.
Once an authorized provider has access to the dashboard, they can sign in using a modern web browser. The dashboard can be accessed at app.playsparkler.com/dashboard/login UNLESS your are part of a system using single sign on (SSO). If this is the case, Sparkler will appear in your computer's web browser menu and you should access the dashboard by clicking on the Sparkler icon.
How do I sign in to the dashboard?
First, ensure that you are using a modern web browser (like Chrome or Safari) on a computer or a tablet. The dashboard is NOT a mobile app, and it is not supported on smartphones.
Go to the following URL to log in → https://app.playsparkler.com/dashboard/login.
Please be sure to check the second box so that you affirm your commitment to upholding Sparkler’s privacy policy and terms of service. Checking this box is required to sign in.
If you forget your password, click "Reset Password" on the login screen to receive a reset link in your email.
If you are part of a system that uses Single Sign On (SSO) to access Sparkler, please click on the Sparkler icon in your browser's menu to get started.
Which families/children do I see on the dashboard?
You have access to the families who have signed up with your organization's code and who have consented to share with you.
If you’re a teacher, you should see the children in your classroom. If you’re a home visitor, you should see your families. If you’re a school leader or supervisor, you might see multiple cohorts representing the different groups you oversee.
What if I see children who are NOT in my classroom/school/organization?
If you see children who are no longer enrolled in your school or seem to have linked with your program in error, you can remove them.
Here's how:
- Go to the Children page
- Click on the child you want to remove to go to the child's profile
- Click on "edit" in the white box
- You'll see a red button that says "remove" at the bottom — click it and confirm
This will remove the child from your program but enable the family to continue using Sparkler if they want to.
If the child is STILL in your program but in another classroom, you should ask your supervisor (who has access to the whole school/program) to move the child into the correct classroom in the dashboard.
How do I see high-level trends in Sparkler?
On the main dashboard screen, you can view the overall statistics for your program/the families you oversee. You can use the date filters to display different time frames, allowing you to easily observe trends over the week, month, or even longer time periods.
On this screen, you’ll see:
- The number of parents in your cohort/group who have created accounts and the number of child profiles they have.
- How engaged your families are with PLAY in Sparkler. Play is recorded when a family finds an activity and presses the blue “We Did It” button.
- Play card ratings: If the family has completed an activity and pressed “We did it,” they have the option of rating the activity.
- At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see ASQ trends, as well as an overview of follow-ups in your program following screening.
Why are more ASQs pending than I have children in my program?
Pending ASQs mean that the assigned ASQ survey has not yet been started or completed. For most Sparkler programs, each child has two ASQs available: one for parents to fill out and another (optional) ASQ for teachers or providers to complete. Therefore, if neither parents nor teachers have completed their current ASQ-3 forms, the total number of pending ASQs would be calculated as follows: 2 ASQs pending for each child.
How do I send/receive messages on Sparkler?
In the dashboard, select the "Messaging" tab at the top, next to the settings. This section allows you to send and receive messages from the families you work with in Sparkler.
You can also send messages to individual families or to multiple families at once.
You can make the message customized to their child’s name with brackets. For example, if you write: “Ask [Child] what [his] favorite part of the story was,” a parent might see: “Ask Mia what her favorite part of the story was.”
New: How do I use the "translate" function in messaging?
When composing a new message or replying, there is a new AI translation feature available. By selecting the translate button, you will receive automatic suggestions for translated content in all other supported languages. If you type your message in English and click on the translate option, it will suggest translations for your message. The recipient’s family will receive the message in the language they use on Sparkler. You can preview and edit these translations as needed before you send.
How can I tell if a parent writes back?
In the dashboard, go to the "Messaging" tab. Here, you can check your inbox to see if you have received any replies from parents and can select the "unread" tab to view all unopened messages. Unread parent replies will be indicated by a small blue dot showing the number of messages sent.
On the Children tab, you can also scroll all the way to the right and use the down arrow to sort message by the most recent messages under the "Last Message From Family" column.”
How can I use Sparkler's Library?
You can use the Library to find activities and tips that meet families’ needs. You can find activities for a particular age or filter by the skill you want to work on with the family.
From the library, you can either download a handout of the activity or tip OR you can send it digitally to the family so they receive it as a push notification in their Sparkler app.
How can I use the “ASQ Dashboard” tab?
On this part of the dashboard, you can download reports for families or you can download CSV files of all of your families’ results. Here you can also complete the teacher ASQ and complete a follow-up report. You can also send the family their results.
What am I supposed to do if a family completes a screening?
When a family completes a screening using Sparkler’s mobile application, their provider, who is responsible for following up, should follow these 6 steps:
- Provider receives ASQ results notification (via email).
- Provider reviews the child’s results and considers recommendations.
- Provider reaches out and connects with the family to talk through results and recommend next steps.
- Provider completes the follow-up form in Sparkler’s dashboard to record your recommendations.
- Provider shares the ASQ results & recommendations electronically with the family (via dashboard by pressing the blue “envelope” on the Child’s ASQ profile).
- Provider shares suggested activities/tips via Sparkler’s Library with the family to help them address any areas of concern.
The ASQ follow-up process might vary in different programs. Please consult with your program leader to learn how your program is using Sparkler to follow up with families after ASQs are completed.
I can’t see a child on my dashboard. What do I do?
This is typically because a parent hasn’t entered your program’s access code, and they are not linked with your program. This is why you cannot see them in your dashboard. The parent can move into your program by opening their Sparkler app:
- Navigate to Settings ⚙️ in the top right corner.
- Select My Account.
- Choose your child’s profile.
- Click on “Add to a new program” under “Cohorts.”
- Enter your program’s unique cohort code.
- Click Submit.
- Select “Confirm Changes.”
If the family needs help, Sparkler can support you best if you look in their app settings (under "My Account") to find out the name/email address they used to register for Sparkler. This will allow the Sparkler team to find them in our system and place their child in your school or program.
If you need help, please reach out: support@playsparkler.org.
A child no longer attends my program, how do I delete them?
If a child is no longer in your program, you should REMOVE them from your program. If you do this, the family will still be able to access Sparkler but will no longer be connected with your school or program. To remove a child, here are the steps:
- Log in to your admin dashboard.
- Select the “Children” tab.
- Search for and select the child’s name.
- Click "Edit" and then select the option to remove the child. Save!
If the family has made a duplicate of their child or requests for their account or child profile to be deleted, Sparkler can delete their account or child. You can request for a child or account to be deleted in the Administration tab if you are a site leader. Otherwise, please email support@playsparkler.org for help.
Administrator/Site Leader Questions about Sparkler
What is the “Administration” tab and how do I get it?
The Administration page of the dashboard enables site leaders to "self manage" Sparkler at their school/program. It allows these leaders to:
- Manage their program's organization (e.g., create classrooms within a school)
- Manage their staff (add, change, or delete teachers or other staff who have dashboard access)
- Manage their families (offer support to families in the program who need help with their Sparkler accounts)
You can get access to Sparkler's Administration page by emailing your program/supervisor and Sparkler at support@playsparkler.org.
How do I add, edit, or remove someone on my staff from Sparkler?
Go to the Your Staff tab. From here, you can add, change, or remove someone who has access to your program's Sparkler.
- Add: To add someone new, press the button that says "Add New User." Add their name and email address. Give them access to the smallest amount of access possible. For example, if it's a classroom teacher, give him/her access to the one classroom (cohort), not the whole school! When you save, the teacher will receive an email, which helps them create a password and sign in.
- Edit: If you need to edit someone who already has access, click on his/her name and make the necessary changes. You can change someone's access, you can update someone's email address, etc.
- Archive: If someone should no longer have access you should click on their name and then "Edit." You should then press the Archive button. This will remove their ability to access the dashboard.
A teacher works with students/families in one classroom in our school. What Sparkler Dashboard access should I give her?
You should give her access only to one cohort and press save. DO NOT give her access to the subgroup or group.
Can I give someone access to a group/subgroup/cohort that I (myself) don't have access to?
No, you can only give someone access to the Sparkler groups/subgroups/cohorts that YOU have access to as an administrator.
What do I tell someone on my team once I have set up their admin account?
Our program has a special code that allows our families to link with us: [INSERT YOUR CODE]
As providers, we engage with families on the web-based dashboard (while parents use Sparkler’s mobile app on their phone/tablet).
- Sign into Sparkler‘s administrative dashboard here — https://app.playsparkler.
com/dashboard/login. You will need to use a modern browser (like Chrome or Firefox) on your computer/laptop/tablet. - Use your email and password to sign in.
- Check the checkbox about privacy and security.
You can find answers to many frequently asked questions in Sparkler's FAQ. Please reach out if you have any questions as you get going.
Thanks,
Someone on my team has forgotten their Sparkler Dashboard password. What do I do?
Under Administration/Your Staff, click on the staff member's name. Press edit. Press the “reset password” button. They will receive an email prompting them to reset their password.
What do I see under Actions?
On the Administration/Your Staff page, under the heading "Actions," you'll see a table with a list of what this member of your team has done on the Sparkler dashboard. Has he/she signed in? Updated a password? Downloaded a report? You'll see a list here. If it's blank, it means that the person has not logged in and you should offer support.
What are the "layers" of organization in Sparkler?
Partner = the highest level (this might be a city or state)
Group = within a partner; this might be a
Subgroup = within a group; this might be a school, family resource center, or healthcare provider
Cohort = the lowest level (this might be a classroom or cohort of families served by an individual home visitor)
How do I create a new cohort/classroom?
Start on the Your Organization tab. Expand the accordion and press "Add Cohort" to create a new cohort.
- Name is the name of the classroom
- Code can be blank unless the classroom should have its own code that families can use to join it (otherwise you can move families into the classroom)
- Contact emails are the email addresses of the person or people who should be contacted if a screening is completed by a family in this cohort. If someone at a higher (program-wide) level is responsible for follow-up, this can be left blank.
Do I need to add a cohort code for each new cohort?
You only need to add a code if families are going to need to link themselves with the cohort using the app settings (typing in the code to link with that classroom/program). If you’re adding a classroom and you intend to move people from the main cohort into the classroom, there’s no need to give it a code.
What are the "Contact Emails" with each cohort?
These email addresses receive notification emails when a family completes a screening. You should leave blank if nobody at your school/program is responsible for following up with families after screening (unless you want it as an FYI).
What happens when I add a new user under Administration/Your Families?
If you add a new user (which is a grown-up account), Sparkler will email the parent to help them set up their password, download the app, and use Sparkler on their device. You will also immediately see the family you added within the Sparkler Dashboard.
What does this mean? "By adding this account and/or child profile, you acknowledge you have all the necessary consent from the parent or caregiver to create this account on behalf of the family."
You must secure the necessary consent from the family BEFORE adding them to Sparkler. Often, this means that a family has signed a consent form at your school or program that enables you to set up their account and enter their information into school/program databases. If you are unsure, please consult with experts at your school/program to ensure you have the necessary parental consent.
Can I add multiple children?
Yes. Add an additional child by pressing “Add Child.” You can add an additional child NOW or later. Please remember to select the cohort that the child is part of — this is how they are placed into the correct program/classroom.
Can I edit a family's account or child's profile in the future?
Yes. Click on any row in the table to edit. You can add a child or edit the details for that family.
Someone has left my program. What do I do?
If a child has left your program, go to the Children tab of the dashboard and look for the child who has left. On their profile page, press “EDIT” in the box on the upper left corner and then press “REMOVE.” This will remove them from your program but will allow the family to continue using Sparkler if they want — rather than deleting all of their account information.
There is a duplicate of a child. What do I do?
If there is a duplicate, you should first wonder: WHY? If there is a duplicate because the child's parents are separated and each want to complete an ASQ about the child, you should leave it as it is. If there is a duplicate because the parent/caregiver has accidentally created two separate accounts or created two of the same child under one account, you can (in consultation with the parent) request to delete the duplicate child. To do this, go to Administration/Your Families and click into the profile of the family who has the duplicate. Press "Request to Delete" under the parent or child. If you delete the parent, you will also delete the child. The parent can also delete a child or request to delete their own account within app settings.
Do you still have a question? Please reach out to us: support@playsparkler.org