Built by a father of an autistic child with speech delay. Synthetic phonics and letter sounds for toddlers and children with autism, speech delay, ASD and PECS needs.
"First Words for Kids" includes 42 words across Animals, Vehicles, Shapes and Colours, Household Items and Numbers. Additional word packs are available through a one-time in-app purchase, bringing the total up to 121 words. Three hint settings (colour hints, letter hints, and combined hints) together with five difficulty settings let you fine-tune the challenge as your child grows. The thumbnail navigation lets children browse all words freely, with no time pressure and no countdowns.
Featured by Apple on the US App Store in Games/Educational and Games/Kids.
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SYNTHETIC PHONICS
"First Words for Kids" uses synthetic phonics to help children learn to read by linking each letter and letter combination to its sound, then showing how those sounds blend into full words. This is the evidence-based approach recommended by national literacy frameworks in the UK, the US and Australia.
Two phonics levels are included:
Synthetic Phonics Basic: introduces blending using simple, single-sound phonemes. Designed for children who are just starting out.
Synthetic Phonics Advanced: introduces graphemes (letter groups that represent one sound), digraphs (two letters that together make a new sound), and letters with more than one sound. For children ready for a bigger challenge.
The app was designed with children who have autism and speech delay in mind. No timers. No pressure. A clean interface that moves at the child's pace.
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THE MISSION
ReadnLearn exists because of Marios. Aris's son has autism and speech delay. Every design decision in every ReadnLearn app comes from watching Marios learn. What works for him works for every child who learns differently.
readnlearn.com/the-mission-autism-educational-tools/
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FEATURES
● Letter sounds through two levels of synthetic phonics, plus letter names
● 42 words in 5 categories (up to 121 words through one-time in-app purchase)
● Learn words and how to spell them
● Recognise upper and lowercase letters and match them to words
● Three hint settings to control how much support the child receives
● Six difficulty settings that grow with the child
● Thumbnail navigation so children can explore all words freely
● Tap any image to hear its sound and name
● Interface designed for small fingers
● Colourful artwork with animations and sound effects
● Studio recordings of all letters, words and spelling
● No timers. No pressure. No ads.
● Flight Mode reminder for uninterrupted offline use
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KNOW WHAT'S INSIDE
We follow the Know What's Inside best practices for children's apps, set by Moms with Apps.
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DISCLOSURE
At ReadnLearn, children's privacy and safety come first:
◇ Does not collect or share personally identifiable information
◇ No social network links or social features
◇ No ads
◇ Contains one-time in-app purchases for additional word packs, behind a parental gate
◇ Feedback and Tell a Friend buttons are behind a parental gate
◇ More Games button and page are behind a parental gate
Privacy policy: readnlearn.com/kids-learning-apps/privacy/
Support: readnlearn.com/kids-learning-apps/#support
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IF THIS APP HELPED YOUR CHILD
Leaving an honest review helps other families with autism, speech delay and learning differences find this app. And if there is something you want added or changed, tell us. Every piece of feedback shapes the next update.
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ABOUT ReadnLearn
ReadnLearn was founded by Aris Karavias, a children's illustrator and educational app developer with 27 years of experience and 25 published educational apps. His son Marios has autism and speech delay. Every design decision in every app comes from watching Marios learn. The apps have been downloaded over a million times across six languages.
Feedback: app-feedback@readnlearn.com
Support: app-support@readnlearn.com
I have left feedback on numerous occasions about: 1. Fox is NOT pronounced f-o-c-k. 2. Pink is not pronounced p-ee-n-k. 3. Koala is not pronounced k-o-a-l-a (as in "at").1. Fox = fo(ks)2. Pink = pink (short "i")3. Koala = koala (same sound as the first "a" sound given.)I have talked with several English teachers including two Kindergarten teachers and they agree. I have experienced a correction only to have it revert back to the original. If they will fix these errors I will keep the app because, aside from these errors, it is quite good. I am hiding it from my 2-year-old for now until these errors have been corrected.
Simply the best phonics learning app out there
Akombos
My daughter went through all the animals in 2 days and is asking for more. This app is far more superior than any other ones. I don't know about the other languages they support but the English version is well thought out for the kids to entertain themselves without parental guidance. Bravo - keep em coming. How about math next?
You can do better
Swamped dad
A European speaker mispronounces many vowel sounds, which can be confusing to children learning to spell. The letters often get stacked so the child cannot see some of them. And if the letter is moved to within an inch of it's proper slot in the word, it is sucked into place as if by a magnetic force, depriving the child of her opportunity to correctly guess the order and placement of the letters. I think most parents will find the Montessori version of this app to be far superior.
Highly Recommended
Vasiliki Rendi
My 3yr old and 5yr old love this app, especially the list of animals and the funny sounds and animations. I love the phonetics setting, great job!
Fixed in-app purchase links so additional word packs now unlock correctly. Fixed synthetic phonics colour display so combined letter groups show a consistent colour throughout. Updated for current iOS.
We are actively developing this app. If there is something you want added or changed, we want to hear from you: app-feedback@readnlearn.com
Version 4.6.1
The developer, Read 'n' Learn, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
