# First Words Professional > Kids learn to read and spell Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/id507560748](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id507560748) ## Overview - **ID:** `id507560748` - **Platform:** Apple - **Type:** Apple app - **Status:** Available - **Publisher:** Learning Touch LLC - **Category:** Education - **Rating:** 4.20 / 5 (39 ratings) - **Version:** 8.2 - **Last updated:** 2023-03-28 - **First published:** 2012-03-09 - **Size:** 103 MB - **Data as of:** 2026-09-23 - **Store listing:** [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/first-words-professional/id507560748) - **Website:** [http://learningtouch.com](http://learningtouch.com/) - **Privacy policy:** [http://learningtouch.com/support](http://learningtouch.com/support) ## Description Thousands of schools use First Words to help their students develop pre-reading, early reading, and language skills. Now there’s a version of First Words specifically for educators and speech language pathologists. Of course, it's great for kids at home, too! First Words Professional has the same child-friendly design and uncluttered interface that made First Words one of the all-time best selling lines of educational apps for iOS. The new additional features make it the ideal choice for individual, institutional and professional use: * More Words --- Over 350 words in 12 categories, including shapes, numbers, food, feelings, clothes, animals, and more. * Six Languages --- Options include American English, British English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. * Phonics -- English word lists includes options for spelling with phonics or letter names. * Category Management --- Choose which categories of words are shown to students. Hide word lists that you don't want them to see. * Word Management --- Choose which words to include in each category. Focus on shorter words, longer words, or words with particular letter combinations. Hide words that your child finds particularly distracting. First Words Professional uses the same intuitive interface that is so easy for preschoolers, kindergartners, and kids with special needs to use. They'll giggle with delight at the beautifully drawn pictures and entertaining sounds, all the while learning how letters correspond to sounds and how letters sounds form words. First Words Professional helps kids develop: * Fine Motor Control * Letter Recognition * Phonemic Awareness * Word Recognition First Words Professional includes a large number options: * Phonics or Letter Names * Uppercase, Lowercase, or Capitalized Words * Spell Words Slowly or Quickly * Serif or Sans-Serif font Here's what educators and reviewers have said about earlier versions First Words: “First Words is an app that teaches letters and words in fun and interactive way. Very easy to use these apps will help support your little ones learning with great illustrations and bright colors. Each app supports kids learning and encourages kids to explore and discover by revealing, rewarding and teaching.” -- Fun Educational Apps “Excellent - As a teacher, I love this game! Just what technology was meant to do!” -- iTunes Review “This app has great settings that let you control the level of difficulty for the child – either with lots of hints or almost none at all. The letters slide nicely into each word and when completed the child is rewarded by having the pictured animal enlarge and animate briefly.” --Carisa Kluver at Digital Stortyime “First Words Deluxe is a very straightforward word-building game. Words are either said letter by letter as they are dragged into the appropriate gray boxes or, if chosen in the settings, a smaller set of words can be sounded out with phonics. This makes this game a treat for both pre-readers and early spellers.” --Common Sense Media “Looking to guide your toddler towards recognizing letters and how to spell words up to eight letters long? Then First Words Deluxe might be just what you are looking for. This pre-reader and spelling application encourages vocabulary development in a wide range of categories such as: vehicles, animals, at home, colors, and shapes.” --Andrea Gardner at Applicable2u "First Words is a great app -- as I said at the time, 'Leo loves First Words because it's fun and easy. I love it because he's learning to spell words, and the interface makes that learning error-free.'" ---Shannon Des Roches Rosa at Squidalicious ## Rankings - #199,201 — Overall ## Review summary Reviewers consistently praise the app for its broad categories, clear pronunciation, and strong early-learning value, especially for very young children and autistic learners. It’s also seen positively for classroom use, immediate feedback, animations, and parental controls. However, concerns about price, suitability for older or more advanced learners, and a desire for more customization (e.g., adding personal words/pictures and deeper phonics options) are common. Overall, a solid early-literacy tool with caveats related to cost and age-fit. ### Pros - Broad word coverage with multiple categories (e.g., Animals, Colors, Feelings, etc.) and extensive word sets. - Clear, enunciated pronunciation of letters and words that supports early reading and letter recognition. - Highly engaging for very young children and helpful for toddlers and autistic kids, promoting word learning. - classroom-friendly features such as immediate feedback and animations that reinforce learning. - Parental controls to tailor vocabulary and focus on specific words you want to work on. ### Cons - Price can be high and some users feel the app is not worth the cost. - Might be too basic or “babyish” for older or more advanced learners who can already read. - Limited customization beyond categories; many want the ability to add their own words and pictures or deeper phonics options. ## Similar extensions and apps - [First Sight Words Professional](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id515121228) — 4.30 / 5 - [First Words Deluxe](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id337462979) — 4.30 / 5 - [First Words Phonics Pro](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id570040709) — 4.30 / 5 - [First Words for Toddlers Lite](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id448160262) — 4.50 / 5 - [First Words Int. 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