# First Phrases Lite — Helps kids learn language! > Interactive app for toddlers learning basic English phrases and speech development. (iPhone/iPad app by Hamaguchi Learning & Development, LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases-lite/id460291615 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Hamaguchi Learning & Development, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/460288922) - Category: Education, Games - Price: Free (on sale, was $0.99) - Rating: 3.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 50 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.6 · 612 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2011-11-04 - Data updated: 2026-08-20 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases-lite/id460291615/reviews.md ## What is First Phrases Lite? This interactive, beautifully illustrated and animated app for the iPad, iPhone and Mac is perfect for the toddler or speech-delayed child who is learning how to put two-three words together or any child who is learning basic English phrases. Developed by an experienced speech-language pathologist, this app provides many opportunities to both hear (receptive), see, and say/record (expressive) 10 different verb + noun combinations, such as: eat the carrot, drive the train, close the door, drink the juice, sleep on the bed, turn on the light, and more. A delightful cat performs them, with 28 possible animation combinations. It is also a great way to teach the article “the” in a meaningful phrase context. **For more verb and character choices, we suggest upgrading to the full version of this app. First Phrases Lite includes user settings for 1 child and 1 guest player. Only one user can keep data. Hamaguchi Apps is dedicated to the mission of bringing high-quality apps to the general public and professionals for affordable prices. We do not have subscriptions for our apps--you download them and they are yours. How you play: Tell the cat what to do! By touching the illustrated parts of the phrases in order (verb+ object forms: “eat the carrot”) the child hears the pre-recorded spoken phrase modeled. The user has the option to repeat this action once, twice or three times in the settings for maximum auditory input. The child then watches an animation of the cat performing the command to help the child associate the words and their meaning. Now it’s the child’s turn to say it and tell the cat what to do! Touch the microphone and record, listen again, and watch the animal follow your direction. Use the optional visual support by tapping on the shapes above the microphone. An adult can score the parts of the phrases. All correct? The cat gives a thumbs up and we hear a praise phrase such as "Awesome!". Tap on End Session to see the data and replay any missed items. This format is especially powerful for children with speech delays and autism spectrum disorders who need strong visual support with as little background clutter as possible, and for use in speech therapy sessions. The format also is a terrific way to support early literacy for left to right orientation, reading (with text on feature) and word boundaries. Options include text on/text off, recording feature on/off, presentation of the phrase in 3 segments (verb + the + object) or 2 segments (verb + the object). Developed by noted speech-language pathologist Patti Hamaguchi, who is the author of several books in the speech-language pathology field including, "Childhood Speech, Language & Listening Problems: What Every Parent Should Know". Patti is also the author or co-author of several standardized tests including the RESCA-E, the TAPS4, the ELCI and upcoming tests the RESCA-ELD, RESCA-A and the Hamaguchi Speech-Language Screening Test. PRIVACY POLICY: We do NOT collect personal data from our users and have no ads! Personal data regarding user performance on the tasks on this app are self-contained and not transmitted in any way to any third parties including us. It is on your device only. *Please contact our tech support at info@hamaguchiapps.com if you are experiencing any technical issues with our apps. We will always help you troubleshoot it and get back to you generally within one business day. To find out more about this app and our other upcoming projects, visit our website: www.hamaguchiapps.com ## Key features - Interactive animations - Audio and visual learning - Record and playback speech - Verb + noun phrase practice - Speech therapy support - Early literacy development ## Recent user reviews (10 of 50) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases-lite/id460291615/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Wow! *2025-03-01* My grandson is now talking in phrases after using this. He loves the videos. Would love an app to improve articulation from this developer for this age too. Their apps are always well done. **Developer response:** Thanks so much for your kind review. We are glad you are enjoying the app! If you ever have any issues with it, please shoot us an email at info@hamaguchiapps.com ### 5/5 — Great for speech therapists! *2016-12-07* Kids love this app, I have had great success using it to get longer phrases and repetitions. **Developer response:** Thanks! We're really glad the app is working for you! (Sorry for the delay in responding--Apple is just now allowing developers to respond to reviews.) ### 4/5 — First phrases *2015-04-20, version 1.7* I like these but I think that when you upgrade you should get credit for the light version you already purchased so that on first phrases you should have the option of a $.99 credit or the $.99 upgrade.with picture the sentence you should get credit for picture the sentence light. ### 5/5 — A favorite for use with young children *2013-05-07* One of my favorite apps! The lite version gives you a very nice taste of what the full version contains- it is actually very full featured for a "lite" app- my young students are really engaged by this app- I use it with my preschool students with special needs- this has been enjoyed by young students with apraxia, autism and/or language impairment. They really seem to think they are "telling" the character what to do. It is great for children with speech and language impairments. ### 4/5 — Good app *2013-05-04* First Phrases HD Lite has clean, simple graphics and it is easy to understand how to use this app. It has great parental settings for different elements of the app like Narrator, Levels, Phrase Format, Repetitions, Verbs, Characters, and Recording. This will be a great app to work on simple sentences with my 4 year old son who has autism and developmental delays. This lite version makes me want to get the full version! ### 4/5 — Good stuff *2013-01-14, version 1.3* My favorite part about this series of apps is that you can record your voice. The kids hear is spoken and then get to practice it themselves. That is really good for building their fluency. ### 5/5 — Great Lite APP! *2012-11-12* The lite version provides 4 simple verb forms plus 2 simple verbs and preposition forms. There are different levels and three different uses can be added. The graphics are simple and engaging. I love the recording ability. I like that this app is so very simple to use! ### 4/5 — Good lite app *2012-11-12, version 1.3* This app gives you a good feel for the high quality of app you will get when you purchase the full version! Well worth upgrading to the full version! Thanks Hamaguchi! ### 4/5 — Phrase app *2012-11-06, version 1.3* The animations on this app are great and I really like the recording feature to check for accuracy. I also like the repetition from the cat after the phrase is given. Great app! ### 5/5 — Great *2012-11-04, version 1.3* Great app and a great developer. I have found this app very useful and highly recommend getting the full version. The animations are great also. ## Frequently asked questions about First Phrases Lite ### What does First Phrases HD Lite do? This app is designed to help young children, particularly toddlers and those with speech delays, learn basic English phrases. It uses interactive animations and audio to teach verb-noun combinations, encouraging children to hear, see, and say phrases. ### What are the key features of this app? Key features include interactive illustrations and animations, opportunities to hear and say phrases, a recording function to practice speech, and visual support for learning. It also offers settings for repetition and text display, aiding in early literacy. ### How much does First Phrases HD Lite cost? This app is a paid application. Users download it once and own it permanently; there are no subscriptions or ads. For more content, users can upgrade to the full version. ### What devices is First Phrases HD Lite compatible with? The app is available for iPad, iPhone, and Mac devices, making it accessible across various Apple platforms. ### Who would benefit most from using this app? The app is ideal for toddlers learning their first words and phrases, children with speech delays, and those on the autism spectrum who benefit from strong visual support. It's also useful for speech therapy sessions and supporting early reading skills. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.1 — 2026-04-16 We added the ability to touch/stop the animation when the user wants to pause it. ### 2.0 — 2025-03-04 We have added the ability to score responses and keep data, replay missed items, a thumbs-up animation when the production is correct, and re-coded this into Swift for a more stable user experience with a new blue border design. ### 1.9 — 2017-10-28 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. iOS 11 optimization, extended recording time ### 1.8 — 2015-08-20 Minor fixes ### 1.7 — 2014-02-11 Minor Fixes ## Apps similar to First Phrases Lite | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Z Speech Pro 1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/z-speech-pro-1/id6475564525) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Education | | [Following Directions by TSApps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/following-directions-by-tsapps/id1033662639) | — | $3.99 | Education | | [Articulation Station Pro Es](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/articulation-station-pro-es/id1055553618) | 4.0 (6) | $59.99 | Education | | [Kea Kids: Preschool Games 2-5+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kea-kids-preschool-games-2-5-plus/id1610468022) | 4.9 (54) | Free | Education | | [Verb Expert!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/verb-expert/id1075645729) | — | Free | Education | | [Speech Therapy 6 – Sentences](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speech-therapy-6-sentences/id6547832695) | 4.0 (2) | Free | Education | ## More apps by Hamaguchi Learning & Development, LLC - [First Phrases](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases/id473894018) - [First Phrases Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases-lite/id474142004) - [First Phrases](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-phrases/id474146399) - [Fun With Directions HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fun-with-directions-hd/id475972703) - [Fun With Directions HD Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fun-with-directions-hd-lite/id478249055) All apps by Hamaguchi Learning & Development, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/460288922 ## Related topics [first phrases](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/first-phrases) · [first phrases lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/first-phrases-lite) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*