Frequently asked questions

For parents using OYLA Workbook.

How do OYLA Workbooks work?

Each workbook (in OYLA Junior we call them activities) is built around a specific article in OYLA or OYLA Junior. Read the article first, then open the activity from the QR code. Some have questions you answer right on the page, and some of those check the answers instantly so your child can try again. When you’re done, a parent sends the work (answers, and photos if the activity asks for them) from their account, and our editors review it.

Can I complete the tasks on paper and then upload photos?

Absolutely. When an activity has a printable version, you’ll see a download button. Print it and write your answers right on it. You can also just use your own notebook; some tasks ask for that anyway. When you’ve finished, take clear photos of your work and upload them.

Who can use OYLA Workbook?

Anyone with an OYLA or OYLA Junior subscription. Because children’s privacy comes first, a parent or guardian creates the account, adds a participant’s profile, and gives consent before any work can be submitted — the child never signs up on their own.

Which workbooks can my participant use, and in what order?

Any workbook that matches your participant’s edition — OYLA Junior (ages 6+) or OYLA (ages 12–18) — in any order you like. A Junior participant sees Junior workbooks; an OYLA participant sees OYLA workbooks. Pick whatever sparks their curiosity — there’s no required sequence.

Can I have more than one participant in one account?

Yes — you can add up to six participants to one account. Each has their own profile and needs its own parental consent (a quick email confirmation) before taking part. Add one anytime from My account → Add participant.

What kind of files can I upload?

Photos. Standard image formats all work — JPEG, PNG, WebP, and iPhone HEIC/HEIF straight from your phone. Bright, in-focus photos help our editors the most (each photo can be up to 20 MB).

Can I upload photos from my phone?

Yes. Just make sure you’re signed in on the phone first, then upload straight from your camera roll.

How many photos can I attach to one submission?

Up to five per submission. You can submit each workbook once, so add every photo you’d like reviewed before you send it.

What are the statuses of my participant’s work?

After you submit, you can follow the work in your account:

Submitted — we’ve received it and our editors are reviewing it. Every submission is checked by a person before anything is shown publicly.
Published — it’s live in our online gallery for other families to enjoy.
Printed in the magazine 🎉 — it was chosen for a printed issue (and stays in the gallery too). Congratulations!
Not this time: it wasn’t published. That’s completely normal. Your participant can try again: the new work replaces this one.
Saved (private) — you chose not to publish it, so it stays in your account only.

You may also see “Selected for print ⭐” on some works — a candidate our editors shortlisted.

What’s the difference between “publish” and “keep private”?

You make this choice for each submission, right on the submission form:

Publish — after our review, the work can appear in the online gallery and may be picked for a printed issue. You decide whether your participant’s first name and age are shown, or the work stays anonymous (age only).
Keep private — the work is saved to your account and is never published anywhere. Our editors can still see it (we review everything submitted), but it won’t appear in the gallery or magazine.

You’re always in control: nothing about your participant is published without your permission, and you choose separately for every submission.

Will I be notified?

We email you when your participant’s work is selected for an issue of the magazine, or featured on OYLA social media. Everything else you see in your account: right after you send the work it shows “Submitted”, then “Published” once our editors put it in the gallery, or “Not this time” if it wasn’t published.

How long does review take?

Our editors review submissions in batches, so it can take a little time — especially right after a new issue comes out and many families submit at once. You’ll see the status update in your account.

When will selected work appear in the magazine?

Being published in the gallery doesn’t guarantee print. We choose printed works from many great submissions, so a piece may appear in an upcoming issue rather than the very next one, and we can’t promise a specific date. When a work is actually printed, its status changes to “Printed in the magazine 🎉” and we’ll email you.

How do you protect my participant’s privacy?

Privacy comes first. You (the parent) create the account and give consent; we collect only the minimum — first name, age, country, and city — never a last name, home address, school, or phone number. Your participant’s city is never shown publicly (only the country may appear as a credit), the gallery is behind a login, and photos are kept in private storage. You can review or delete your participant’s data at any time. See our Privacy Policy for the full details.

I need help — how do I contact you?

We’re happy to help. Email us at info@oyla.us with any questions about your account, a submission, or your participant’s work.