# Key Word Kids > Educational app for children to enhance language comprehension and expression skills. (iPhone/iPad app by Language And Learning Steps Pty.Ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/key-word-kids/id778518837 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Language And Learning Steps Pty.Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/778518840) - Category: Education, Games, Family, Word - Price: $39.99 - Rating: 4.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 7.0 · 192 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2013-12-19 - Data updated: 2026-06-07 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/key-word-kids/id778518837/reviews.md ## What is Key Word Kids? "Great app for practising expressive and receptive language skills and following directions." - The iMums Key Word Kids is an educational therapy program app, supporting children's language development by increasing their understanding of instructions through Key Words. As a child visits various scenes, they must listen, retain information from increasingly complex sentences, and act out instructions to improve their language comprehension skills. Join Key Word Kids, Steffy and James in hundreds of fun scenarios, with optional text for reading comprehension, a 'level check' feature that provides a recommended starting level, 5 fun mini games and an expressive recordable freeplay mode. It is loved by all children but has been designed for those aged 2 to 8 years with Language Disorder or Delay, Apraxia of Speech, Autism Spectrum Disorder and learners of English as a second language. The Comprehension activities on the Key Word Kids App are graded in levels of difficulty, using a Key Word (Information Carrying Word) approach, based on the Derbyshire Language Scheme (Masidlover, 1982, used with permission). This is the most widely used intervention program used by speech language therapists in the UK for children under 7 years. It is also popular in Australia and New Zealand. Key Word Kids was created by Janet Eales, Guidance Counsellor/Special Educator/Certified Play Therapist and Sue Park, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist, who have worked together for over 30 years. By first using the 'Level Check' to determine a child's starting level and then progressing through word levels that gradually increase in complexity, children will learn to listen to a sentence, retain information from it and then follow directions using the 'on screen' items in different, fun and engaging scenes. Reading comprehension can also be practised by switching audio phrases to text in the settings menu. A selection of short mini-games are included to reward users between Key Word Sentences which also increase a child's attention and interest in the program overall. The Expression mode allows children to practise what they have learnt and even record their own stories or voiced instructions for their friend, parent or speech pathologist to follow, or just use it for FUN! For iPad 2, iPad 3 and iPad mini - NOT original iPad. Only available in the Apple App store. FEATURES: ○ No in-app purchases or links to social media ○ Easy to use ○ Quick level check suggests Key Word starting level ○ Teaches Comprehension and Expression of language ○ Records Expression ○ Carefully graded steps ○ eg 2 key words 'Wash the horse' (Wash/Brush...the horse/pig/dog); ○ eg 3 key words 'Make Teddy dance to the bed (Teddy/Monkey/Robot...dance/jump/walk.../bed/table/chair) ○ eg 4 key words 'Stick the gold star on the flag in the water' (gold/silver...star/diamond...flag/surfboard....sand/water) ○ eg Level 5 focuses on complex sentences rather than key words eg 'Make James get the leaves and feed them to the giraffe by the mud' (James/Steffy...leaves/apple...giraffe/zebra..mud/tree) ○ Clear visual pictures and cues ○ Varied interaction types (tap/drag) ○ Gives immediate feedback on performance ○ Error correction and prompts ○ Contains clear speech in neutral English ○ Scores for discreet trial training ○ Provides fun activities and rewards ○ Suits a range of language learners from 1+years to older children with language support needs ○ Teaches concepts ○ Teaches early grammar at sentence and word level ○ Unique verb animation trees ○ Designed for children with speech and language difficulties, attention/memory/processing difficulties, typically developing children and those learning English as a second language. ○ Made in Australia-scenes include Australian outback, African Safari, Farm, Beach and House ○ Can be used with individuals and small groups ○ Can be used independently or with Speech Pathologist/teacher/assistant/parent/carer ## Key features - Improves language comprehension - Enhances expressive language skills - Interactive scenes and instructions - Level check for personalized starting point - Includes mini-games for engagement - Recordable freeplay mode ## Recent user reviews (7 of 7) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/key-word-kids/id778518837/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Does not work on ios 11 *2018-01-02, version 1.4* Please update your app so it works with ios 11. My money is wasted now and my son can not use it. Please fix this problem as soon as possible. ### 4/5 — Fantastic app *2015-09-22, version 1.3* Great app that provides ideal presentation of verbs that allows for mapping. Students (ASD) are very engaged by this and the pronunciation and animations are both very clear. One improvement could be the ability to select and deselect specific verbs. Sometimes particular verbs are repetitive and there is no control over which ones appear. Also your website appears to be affected by malware (redirects to a spam page). Otherwise a terrific app! ### 5/5 — Fantastic language app for young children *2014-08-06, version 1.1* This is a great app! Key Word Kids has been developed by an Australian Speech Pathologist and Special Education teacher using the principles of the Derbyshire Language Scheme, to target listening and speaking skills in young children. This clever app is designed to check the child's level of understanding, and the start the activities at the appropriate level. Clear and engaging graphics, sounds, feedback responses and tasks lead the child through each level, while expanding their understanding and spoken language abilities. Key Word Kids is designed for use with children 0-5, however I have used it widely in my Speech Pathology practice with older children with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome and general developmental delay with great success. Key Word Kids has become a favourite in my therapy toolbox, because of its clear targets, easy to use features, and evidence based approach to language therapy with young children, and I am confident in recommending it to parents and professionals alike. ### 5/5 — Excellent app for SLTs *2014-03-28* I work with autistic children with language delay/disorder. This app is excellent! The sounds and animations are delightful and the kids love it. Unlike some other apps this one actually uses proper key word level comprehension. There is a huge variety of vocabulary, concepts, scenarios and imagery and the kids never seem to get bored of it. It’s flexible and fun. This app is an absolute must for anyone working with children with language and communication difficulties. ### 5/5 — HIghly recommended *2014-01-22, version 1.1* As a Speech Pathologist, I am very excited to have this app as a fun way to work on following directions. It is great to sees the levels and the fun rewards. ### 5/5 — Great app *2013-12-25, version 1.0* Great app for the kids. Hours of fun and learning. Well done! ### 5/5 — Great app *2013-12-19, version 1.0* What a great, user-friendly app! Very excited! ## Frequently asked questions about Key Word Kids ### What is Key Word Kids? Key Word Kids is an educational therapy program designed to support children's language development by increasing their understanding of instructions through a Key Word approach. It helps children aged 2-8 improve both receptive and expressive language skills. ### How does Key Word Kids teach language skills? The app uses interactive scenes where children listen to increasingly complex sentences and act out instructions using on-screen items. It employs a Key Word (Information Carrying Word) approach based on the Derbyshire Language Scheme. ### What age range is Key Word Kids for? Key Word Kids is designed for children aged 2 to 8 years. It is particularly beneficial for those with Language Disorder or Delay, Apraxia of Speech, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and learners of English as a second language. ### Does Key Word Kids have ads? No, Key Word Kids does not contain advertisements. The app is designed to be an uninterrupted learning experience for children. ### What devices is Key Word Kids available on? Key Word Kids is available for iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad mini. It is not compatible with the original iPad and is exclusively found in the Apple App Store. ### How does the 'Level Check' feature work in Key Word Kids? The 'Level Check' feature quickly assesses a child's current language comprehension level and suggests an appropriate starting point within the app. This ensures the child begins at a difficulty that is both challenging and supportive. ### Can Key Word Kids be used by speech-language therapists? Yes, Key Word Kids is a tool that can be utilized by speech-language therapists. It is based on a widely used intervention program in the UK and is popular in Australia and New Zealand for children under 7 years. ### What is the price of Key Word Kids? Key Word Kids is a paid application priced at $39.99. There are no in-app purchases or links to social media within the app. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4 — 2017-11-26 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. - Added iOS11 Support - Miscellaneous bugfixing ### 1.3 — 2014-04-18 * Bug fixes and optimisation * ### 1.2 — 2014-04-11 *** Bug fixes and optimisation *** ### 1.1 — 2014-01-16 *** Added user requested feature - Ability to email scores for record keeping *** ### 1.0 — 2013-12-19 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Key Word Kids | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [I Can Read: Early Learning App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/i-can-read-early-learning-app/id6743514518) | — | Free | Education | | [Pip and Tim Stage 3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pip-and-tim-stage-3/id829690005) | — | $3.99 | Education | | [Auslan Tutor 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/auslan-tutor-2/id1477915207) | — | Free | Education | | [Pip and Tim Stage 1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pip-and-tim-stage-1/id828398070) | 5.0 (1) | $3.99 | Education | | [Pip and Tim Stage 5](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pip-and-tim-stage-5/id830430063) | — | $3.99 | Education | | [Pip and Tim Stage 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pip-and-tim-stage-2/id829640647) | — | $3.99 | Education | ## More apps by Language And Learning Steps Pty.Ltd - [Key Verbs with Steffy & James](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/key-verbs-with-steffy-and-james/id965162032) All apps by Language And Learning Steps Pty.Ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/778518840 --- *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 2026-06-07.*