Amazon has introduced a new feature for its Echo and Echo Kids smart speakers named Sleep Studio, intended to make bedtime routines more appealing for children and less burdensome for parents and caregivers. The feature combines a selection of bedtime stories, calming sounds, and guided meditations with scheduling and customization options managed by adults.
New Feature for Amazon Kids Plus Subscribers
Sleep Studio is offered as part of the Amazon Kids Plus subscription, which costs $5.99 per month. Subscribers can access the feature at no additional cost. Amazon also provides a one-month free trial for the service, and purchasing an Echo Kids device includes a complimentary six or 12-month subscription.
Parents and guardians can configure curated playlists and sleep schedules for children through the Amazon Kids Parent Dashboard. This dashboard is accessible via a standalone mobile application for iOS and Android devices, as well as a dedicated website.
Automated Wind-Down Routines
A 30-minute wind-down routine is designed to automatically activate on Echo devices half an hour before a child’s scheduled bedtime. Children also have the ability to initiate this routine at any time they feel sleepy by saying, “Alexa, play Sleep Studio.” The Echo Glow, which also functions as a night light, will display color-coded lights to indicate when it is time for children to sleep and when it is appropriate to get out of bed.
The content provided through Sleep Studio is sourced from platforms such as Headspace, Moshi, and Calm. Fergal Walker, vice president of partnerships at Calm, stated in an Amazon release that “A good night’s sleep is important for a healthy, rested mind for everyone. That’s why Calm has created a sprawling library of meditations, lullabies, soundscapes, and Sleep Stories for kids.”
Steve Lopez is the Editorial Page Editor for News Raise. He covers Health. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards for his reporting and column writing at seven newspapers and four news magazines.
