Last-Updated: 2025-01-11
Title: Build with Me - Shape the Future of Little Wheels
URL: https://littlewheels.app/build-with-me

Summary:
Little Wheels is building educational apps based on direct parent and child development expert feedback with no investors or board control, led by founder Sean Record who reads every email and prioritizes features families and professionals request most.

Key Points:
- Parent-built apps (Talk & Listen, Create & Play) developed by Sean Record, a dad frustrated with existing app options
- Development roadmap shaped by parent feedback AND expert collaboration (SLPs, OTs, educators, specialists)
- Next apps planned: Think & Discover (STEM/reasoning), Feel & Connect (social-emotional), Move & Sense (motor skills)
- Development priority determined by parent votes, SLP/educator input, and technical feasibility
- Active collaboration with child development experts who help shape features and review content
- Expert compensation available for formal consultations; many contribute pro bono for apps they use with clients

Features Contributors Have Helped Build (Real Implementation):
- Visual Speech Cues: SLP feedback suggested visual guides for sound production → Now every phoneme in Talk & Listen includes mouth animations and tongue placement diagrams
- Syllable Sorting & Sound Filtering: SLPs requested better ways to target specific sounds and practice syllable counting → Added ability to sort vehicles by phoneme and syllable indicators on license plates (e.g., fire-truck = 2 claps)
- Audio Gestalt Language Phrases: Parent and SLP feedback shaped how we use sound effects and audio phrases across apps → Added navigational phrases ("Let's read a book" / "Time to play") that guide kids through features naturally
- Low-Stimulation Design Philosophy: Parents helped shape apps that use positive reinforcement through play—not gamification or rewards → No stars, no points, no pressure; calm learning that reduces tantrums instead of triggering them

Ways to Contribute:
1. Share Ideas & Feedback (feature requests, bug reports, general feedback)
2. Try New Apps First (TestFlight early access, give feedback before launch)
3. Expert Collaboration (consult on features, review content for developmental accuracy, share clinical insights)

Expert Collaboration Details:
- SLPs, occupational therapists, pediatric nurse practitioners, pre-K teachers, child development experts, and social-emotional specialists welcome
- Can consult on features, review content, or share insights
- Formal consultations compensated; casual feedback often pro bono (contributor's choice)
- Expert suggestions implemented within weeks when feasible
- Direct access to developer for ongoing collaboration

Professional Benefits for Contributors:
- Name credit in app and documentation
- Case studies for professional portfolios
- Early access to tools for practice/classroom use
- Potential for conference presentations or co-authored research
- Can use collaboration for professional development documentation

Beta Testing:
- TestFlight access for early features
- Direct input shapes final versions
- Email expressing interest in early access to join

Contact:
Email: sean@recordcreativeco.com
Subject Lines: "Feedback on Little Wheels" | "I'd love early access" | "Expert Collaboration Inquiry"
Response Time: Typically within 24 hours
Communication: No tracking forms or ticket systems—just direct conversation with the developer

Technical Details:
- All apps designed for neurotypical and neurodivergent learners with sensory-safe options
- Every feature tied to child development research and proven educational outcomes
- Apps built without investor pressure—focus is on what families and clinicians actually need, not growth metrics
- Development process transparent and collaborative
- Features implemented based on real-world feedback from parents and professionals