# Freeze Cue — Fun-by-age note (5–7)

**Title:** Freeze Cue · **Band:** 5–7 · **Form:** Lab HTML graybox  
**Path:** `/workspace/pbs-kids-web-slate/index.html` (also `freezecue-proto/`)

## Claim
| Field | Value |
|-------|--------|
| Audience | 5–7 |
| Fun promise | “One more — I’ll catch the real red this time.” |
| Play loop | move → see cue → freeze-or-go → laugh/recover → again |
| Skill = mechanic | Impulse control (freeze only on true red; fakes keep you moving) |

## Fun-by-age check
| Must | Status |
|------|--------|
| Skill hidden in a verb (freeze/go), not a question stem | PASS |
| Big tap target (FREEZE) + space | PASS |
| Almost no reading (color is the truth; labels are bait) | PASS |
| Failure funny/interesting (fake freeze / missed red), not grade | PASS |
| Obvious Again | PASS |
| Uncoached first play plausible | Aim — adult says nothing beyond “tap Freeze when it’s really red” once max |

## Kill quiz
No multiple choice, no “is this correct?”, no score-as-grade. Streak/best are mastery juice, not % correct. Cuddly not folded in.

## Done-when graybox
- Kid can play twice unprompted (Again button / auto schedule)  
- Fake-cue bait lands ≥1 time (`Fake traps` counter)  
- No coaching required for the rule beyond one line if needed  

## Honest GQS (Lab draft): **6 / 10**
Loop is game-shaped (agency + surprise + recovery). Juice still thin (no audio/particles); not Playtest until household zero-coaching log + juice pass → ≥8.

**Do not juice a quiz. Do not ask host/Playtest without Alex.**

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## Post-pass density (Kids Apps Research · hold until Freeze Cue clears)

Ref: `/workspace/kids-apps-poc/pbs-sesame-web-minigame-ref-5-8.md`

After graybox → kid smoke → GQS ≥8 path: expand toward PBS **pick-and-play shelf** (8–20+ short verb-games: dress, cook, sort, hunt, care, race). Not before. First move stays **one** HTML (Freeze Cue). Cuddly/Rule Flip/Squirrel fences unchanged.

## Juice pass (2026-09-17 · Gaming Design)
- True-red window **1350ms** (was 1100) for 5yo fairness
- WebAudio: freeze chime · fake-gotcha chirp · miss thump
- Stronger **AGAIN ▶** control (pulse affordance)
- Still **Lab**; GQS claim stays **6→re-score after household zero-coaching log** before Quality Gate