One of the first steps in learning to read is tuning in to the sounds that words begin with. The Initial Sounds app from Play English School gives young children a fun, simple way to practise exactly that.
What is it?
The Initial Sounds app shows children a picture and asks them to identify the sound the word starts with. Three letter choices are displayed, and children tap the one they think is correct.
It’s a simple format that works well for young learners — no reading required, just listening and thinking about sounds.
The app draws on vocabulary from two of our other apps:
- CVC words (cat, dog, sun…)
- Magic E words (cake, bike, home…)
This means children are working with familiar words in a new and engaging way.
Designed for Young Children
Like all Play English School apps, the Initial Sounds app has been designed with young learners in mind:
- clear picture prompt for each word
- large, easy to tap letter tiles
- calm colours and gentle animations
- no ads, pop-ups, or distractions
Children can practise independently, while parents can feel confident the content is safe and educational.
Simple and Encouraging
The app gives instant feedback for every answer — correct answers are highlighted in green, and if a child gets it wrong the correct letter is revealed so they can learn from it. A score tracker at the top keeps a count of correct and incorrect answers, and can be reset at any time.
There’s no pressure, no time limits and no complicated menus — just a picture, three letters, and a gentle nudge in the right direction.
Perfect for Home and Classroom Use
This app works beautifully:
- on iPads and tablets
- on phones
- at home or in the classroom
Parents and teachers can add it to the Home Screen so it behaves just like a real app — no login or account required.
The Initial Sounds app is completely free to use and available directly from our website.
Whether your child is just starting out with phonics or needs extra practice identifying initial sounds, this app is a calm, straightforward way to build early literacy skills — one picture at a time.
You can find more Learn to Read material on our YouTube channel!