Every child is different. Set the door that fits this child — you can change it any time.
Where should we start?tap to open▸
You can't pick wrong — every track is open, and trying a little of each is a fine way to find the fit. But if you'd like a place to begin:
If your child is just learning to read and sound out words, start with Alpha-Phonics or Syllable Steps (Webster) — both build reading from the smallest pieces up, the time-tested way.
If your child already reads and needs good spelling lists that grow with them, start with the graded trail (GS1–GS4) — Aldine's word lists, set out grade by grade, from first words up to the vigorous spelling of the upper grades.
If you want the everyday words children write most, start with Ayres — the highest-frequency words, gently graded.
Still not sure? Try a little of all of them, and see which one your child reaches for.
The Syllable Steps track can show tiny marks over letters (a bar means a long vowel, a curve means short). They're how reading was taught for generations, but they can feel busy at first. Off is a clean start; flip them on when your child is ready to see why a vowel is long or short. (These marks appear on Syllable Steps; the graded word lists don't use them.)
When a child taps the 🔍 on a word, the pop-up always shows its meaning and words that mean about the same (synonyms). Below that, you choose which look-it-up links appear. Turn on as many as you'd like — a child can have more than one open.
Wordsmyth Kids — kid-safe, with pictures. (May not have every word.)test “travel” ↗
Merriam-Webster — the complete, standard dictionary. Fuller entries (and its own thesaurus) — good for an older child or for questions you talk through together. test “travel” ↗
VisuWords — a moving web of how a word connects to others. Astounding for an older child, and a real find — try the test link and see. test “travel” ↗
The pop-up always lists synonyms — words that mean about the same. It's worth showing your child that section and talking it over; Merriam-Webster carries synonyms too, and “what's another word for this?” makes a fine conversation.
Weaves short KJV verses — mostly Proverbs and the words of Jesus — into the Typing Path as gentle rest stops between stages. They grow with the typist: a few words early on, fuller verses by the time they're typing passages. There's no clock on these — just the words. Off by default; turn it on if you'd like it.
When a child works through See & Say, they can earn a flying game — 1 minute at the halfway point, 5 minutes for finishing the list. Some children would rather just finish their words and be done; turn this off and the reward (and its pop-ups) won't appear at all.