For grown-ups ·
Questions about Their First Conversations
Their First Conversations is sixty little talks from a child’s day, for ages 1 to 6, in English, Spanish, or Korean. A grown-up voice says a line, the app pauses for your child’s answer, and then it says the answer too. Here is what to expect.
The talks
What happens in a talk?
Tap a talk to play it. A grown-up in the painting says a line. Then your child’s bubble glows marigold with “Your turn,” and the app pauses for their answer. After the pause it says your child’s line as well, so they hear the answer whether they spoke or not. Tap the talk again to hear it once more. When it has finished, tap any bubble to hear just that line.
What counts as an answer?
Anything your child does in their turn: saying the line, saying one word of it, pointing, nodding, or simply listening. Nothing listens or records, so nothing is marked right or wrong, and the talk goes on the same way every time.
What are the talks about?
Sixty everyday moments in seven situations: Hello & Goodbye, Mealtime, Playtime, Feelings, Getting Ready, Bedtime, and Out & About. Each talk has its own painting and two speakers: your child and Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, a friend, or a teacher.
What is the difference between Little and Big Kid?
Little (ages 1 to 3) is two lines: one question and one short answer. Big Kid (ages 3 to 6) is four lines, so your child gets a second turn to answer. Both use the same sixty talks and paintings. The app asks “Who is listening today?” the first time it opens, and you can switch in Settings at any time.
How long is the pause?
About five seconds in Little and four in Big Kid. If your child needs longer, tap the glowing bubble once during their turn for a few more seconds. There is no countdown and no score.
Where should we start?
The home screen offers one talk for today. From 7 pm it becomes a bedtime talk for tonight. Or open a situation and tap Play all to hear its talks in a row; it stops at the end of that situation.
What about lines like “My name is…”?
The app never asks for, says, or stores a child’s name. In the few talks about a name or an age, the voice says the opening words and pauses, so your child can finish the line their own way.
Do I need to speak Spanish or Korean?
No. Native voices say both parts, and the English sits under every line, so you can follow along and learn with your child.
Practical questions
Is it free?
Yes. All sixty talks are open, with no ads, purchases, or account. On the web there is a small, optional Leave a tip button; every talk stays free whether you use it or not.
Is there an app to install?
Not in the app stores yet. Conversations runs in any current browser on a phone, tablet, or computer, and you can add it to your home screen. iPhone, iPad, and Android apps are coming soon.
Does it work offline?
Open it once while you are online. After that, the talks you have played stay available offline in that browser.
How do I change the language or Little and Big Kid?
Tap the Settings chip at the top of the home screen. Choose English, Spanish, or Korean, Little Kid or Big Kid, and a Light or Dark look. A Dark look lasts until the app closes.
What does the app remember?
Only two things, on your device: the language and Little or Big Kid. It saves nothing about what your child played and never uses the microphone or camera. Clearing this site’s data in your browser removes both settings. The privacy policy has the details.
Where can I get help?
Visit Conversations support or email support@theirfirstwords.org. Please tell us your device and browser and what happened, without including your child’s personal information.
Then try one away from the screen
The same little talks work at the table, on a walk, and at bedtime. Three little talks shows how, with the lines to say and the pause to leave. Or open Conversations and play one together.