Sound Sanctuary · First sounds

Sound Start

Your child hears a letter prompt followed by the names of several pictures. They tap the picture whose word begins with that letter. Each picture also has its word underneath. The round gives you a small set to discuss together, such as naming the pictures before comparing their beginnings.

Play Sound Start free Ages 4–6

Free for every family until 20 November 2026Every game and level. No card needed.

Pictures of the sun, a ball and a hat. — A real screen from the game’s first level.

What it practises

Link a letter to the beginning of a picture word
Compare the beginnings of named picture words

How the levels grow

Seed Level 1
Sprout Level 2
Bloom Level 3
Flourish Level 4
Shine Level 5

Sound Start is available for ages 4–6. Levels 1 and 2 offer three pictures, levels 3 and 4 offer four, and level 5 offers five. Every level draws from the same letter-and-picture bank, which leaves out X. Each round chooses different letter entries for its options, then asks about one target letter. The game keeps the same beginning-word task through five rounds; higher levels add choices rather than a new sound position.

This game is on the Kindergarten path, for ages 4–6. Good play climbs a level; a hard day holds it, and a level earned is never taken away.

What you might notice

Does your child name each picture before choosing?
Which beginning links need another shared example?

Try it at home

Draw a sun and a fish on paper, then write S separately. Say sun and fish clearly and ask which begins with the sound linked to S. Supply the names yourself if needed. Try one more familiar example only if your child wants to.

Not in this game: The game does not practise ending sounds, middle vowels or writing letters.