First Words offers a variety of activities: Optimized Instruction, Training by Level (1-5), Testing, and three Supplemental Activities. Although each activity can be customized in different ways, we recommend Optimized Intervention® for most users.

Optimized Intervention®
Optimized Intervention is the most efficient and effective way to train early vocabulary. Using sophisticated built-in strategies, the program constantly monitors a student's performance and then automatically adjusts the stimulus delivery to best suit a student's needs. By continually making decisions about how to guide the learning process, Optimized Intervention makes training faster and more effective.

Here’s how it works...
Optimized Intervention begins by probe testing the words in developmental order to identify 5 nouns that the student doesn't already know. Once the program collects 5 nouns that the student cannot identify, training begins. The entry level of training is determined by the results of the probe test.

During a session, the program automatically adjusts the level of training (1-5) for each word based on a student's performance. At the lower levels of training, an animated character named Blob reinforces correct answers. At the higher levels of training, correct answers are reinforced by a new character named Zot who uses enriched language to facilitate learning. Zot uses expanded language to illustrate noun phrases, determiners, prepositions, and plurals.

Once a word has been correctly identified at Level 5 over two consecutive sessions, that noun is considered mastered and the program probes for another noun to train. Mastered words are periodically reviewed to ensure retention.

At the end of a session, all performance data is saved so that students can continue their next lesson exactly where they left off. By specifically targeting those words that have not been learned and no longer training those that have been mastered, Optimized Intervention maximizes the available learning time and guarantees success.

Training by Level (1-5)
This activity can be used for training up to 50 words at one time on a single level. At each level, you can customize different features of the lesson. For instance, you can select a simple black background or a full scene background. You can choose either Blob, Zot, or verbal reinforcement. Two types of cues are available and text can be on or off.

Following is a description of each level:

Level 1: Instructional Introduction presents one picture in the center of the screen with a cue over it. The narrator provides instruction ("This is a dog"). When the narrator asks the student to find the noun, the noun is identified and reinforcement is provided.

Level 2: Single Picture Training presents one picture in the center of the screen with a cue over it. The narrator provides instruction ("This is a bed"). Then the picture relocates either left or right and the cue follows the picture. When the narrator asks the student to find the noun, the picture must be selected to get reinforcement. The first incorrect response is followed by cueing. The second incorrect response is followed by reinstruction.

Level 3: Basic Two-Picture Training presents one picture in the center of the screen with a cue over it. The narrator provides instruction ("This is an apple"). Then the picture locates either left or right with a cue over it and a second picture appears beside it. When the narrator asks the student to find the noun, the correct picture must be selected to get reinforcement. The first incorrect response is followed by cueing. The second incorrect response is followed by reinstruction.

Level 4: Intermediate Training presents one picture in the center of the screen and the narrator provides instruction ("This is a car"). Then the picture locates either left or right with no cue and a second picture appears beside it. When the narrator asks the student to find the word, the correct picture must be selected to get reinforcement. The first incorrect response is followed by cueing. The second incorrect response is followed by reinstruction.

Level 5: Advanced Training presents two pictures on the screen and the narrator asks the student to identify one of them ("Find the ball"). No instruction or cueing is provided. If the student answers correctly, reinforcement is provided. The first incorrect response is followed by cueing. The second incorrect response is followed by reinstruction.

Testing
This activity can be used to conduct a pre- or post-test. Two pictures appear on the screen and the student is asked to identify a noun. No instruction, cue, or reinforcement is provided.

Supplemental Activities
These activities provide exposure to nouns without requiring a student to identify them. Each activity can be run independently, but can also be used as the "End of the Session Activity" to supplement training after the allotted time has expired.

Word Introduction
This activity introduces one noun at a time on a black background. A picture appears in the center of the screen and the narrator asks, "What’s this?" Then the narrator identifies the noun ("It’s a train").

Slide Show
This activity presents one noun at a time as a slide show. Each time a picture appears, the narrator asks, "What’s this?" Then the narrator identifies the noun ("It’s an orange").

Zot Routines
This activity provides exposure to Zot's enriched language (including noun phrases, determiners, prepositions, and plurals) without requiring a student to identify the words. Zot appears on a card and the narrator asks, "What’s Zot going to do?" Then Zot performs an animated routine which uses expanded language.