LumiNest: Nature
48 words · 144 video scenes
- Animals
- Insects
- Nature
- Ocean
Calm learning
for little ones.
Real-world videos and warm narration help your toddler learn first words. Pick two languages and every video can speak both, side by side.
Unlock once and it is yours: no ads, no subscriptions, and purchases stay behind a parent gate.
15
Languages
8
Word worlds
96
Words
288
Video scenes
EnglishDutchGermanSpanishFrenchPortugueseItalianJapaneseKoreanChinesePolishTurkishHindiSwedishCantonese
Our Apps
Each app gathers a family of word worlds in one place. Every word is a calm, real-world video with warm narration. We listened to early feedback: every app grew from one world of twelve words to four worlds and dozens more.
LumiNest: First Words
48 words · 144 video scenes
- Food
- Home Objects
- Toys
- Vehicles
Why we built this
LumiNest started at home. My children are growing up half Cantonese, and when I went looking for calm first-words apps in their family's language, I found a wall of Mandarin and a lot of noisy cartoons. So I built what I wanted for my own kids: real videos, a warm voice, and two languages playing side by side. Cantonese and English were the first pairing, and my kids were the first users.
The deal stays simple on purpose. You unlock an app once and it is yours: no ads, no subscriptions, no streaks or coins, and nothing a toddler can tap into by accident. Purchases sit behind a parent gate.
The parent behind LumiNest
Built on real learning science
Every design decision is grounded in established research on how young children acquire language.
1
Cross-Situational Word Learning
Children infer word meanings by encountering the same word across varied situations. Seeing "elephant" by water, between trees, and rolling in mud builds a richer understanding than a single static image.
Every word includes multiple scene variants. Tap to cycle through them.
2
Dual Coding
When a child sees a real animal in motion while hearing its name spoken, two memory pathways activate together -visual and verbal. This multi-sensory pairing produces stronger retention than either channel alone.
Video and narration are tightly synchronized.
3
Active Recall
Self-directed learning produces deeper encoding than passive watching. Research consistently shows that active engagement -choosing what to explore and when -strengthens memory formation.
The child taps to start, cycle, and close. Quiz mode asks, and the child finds. No auto-advance.
4
Real Video, Not Cartoons
Toddlers struggle to transfer learning from cartoons to real objects. A child who learns "lion" from a cartoon may not recognize a real lion. Documentary footage bridges this gap.
All video is calm, real-world footage.
5
Fast & Extended Mapping
Word learning happens in two stages: a rapid initial link (fast mapping) and gradual deepening through varied encounters (extended mapping).
"Short" mode for fast mapping, "Full" mode for extended.
6
Calm, Low-Stimulation
Overstimulation impairs learning in young children. Loud music, rapid transitions, and flashing visuals compete for attention rather than supporting it.
No music, no effects, no ads. Just the subject and natural sound.
What parents say
★★★★★"My daughter asks for 'the animals' every morning. She learned 'elephant' and 'butterfly' in the first week -and she's only 18 months."
— Marieke Jansen
★★★★★"Finally screen time I don't feel guilty about. No chaos, no ads, no manipulative design. Just calm videos and a warm voice."
— Katharina W.
★★★★★"We use it in Dutch at home and English at grandma's. Switching languages is so simple. Both kids love the real animal videos."
— Anouk de Vries
★★★★☆"My son is obsessed with the vehicles app. The only thing I'd change is adding a way to favorite specific videos -he wants to watch the fire truck on repeat."
— Emma S.
★★★★★"As a speech therapist, I recommend this to parents all the time. The narration modes are exactly right -short labels for early learners, full sentences for kids who are ready."
— Fleur Bakker
Designed for tiny hands
Real videos
Documentary-style footage, not cartoons. What they see on screen looks like real life.
3 narration modes
Word only, full context, or silent. Warm voiceover paced for ages 1–5.
Two languages, side by side
Pick any two of 15 languages and every video can speak both, alternating or back to back.
No ads, ever
No ads, no tracking, no third-party anything. What you unlock is simply yours.
Family Sharing
Buy once, share with everyone. All purchases support Apple Family Sharing. No extra cost.
Quiz mode
Spoken questions invite your child to find the right video among the tiles: gentle recall, not just recognition, in whichever languages you picked.
Child-safe by design
Settings are hidden behind a parent gate. No links out, no social features, no way for kids to wander off.
Try it first
Every world starts with free words to explore, and the full unlock comes with a 7-day free trial.
Works anywhere
Every video and voice ships inside the app. Airplane mode, the cabin in the woods, the back seat: it all just works.
Frequently asked questions
How do languages work?
Long-press anywhere on the main screen to open Settings. Choose from 15 languages, and add a second one to hear every video in both.
What narration modes are available?
Short says just the word ("Lion!"). Full adds context ("A lion rests on a warm rock"). Off plays the video silently. You can switch modes in Settings.
How do I access Settings?
Long-press (hold for 2 seconds) anywhere on the main grid screen. This parent gate prevents toddlers from accidentally changing settings.
What does the full unlock include?
Every world starts with free words to try, and the 7-day free trial opens the complete app: every word, every video, every language. After that, a single one-time purchase unlocks everything for good. No subscription, no recurring charges.
Is this a subscription?
No. There is a free trial to see if your child loves it, and after that a single one-time purchase per app. Nothing renews, nothing recurs, and Family Sharing is included.
Is there any advertising or tracking?
No ads and no third-party tracking, ever. The apps send us only our own anonymous usage counts, so we can see what helps children learn; nothing identifies you or your child, and nothing is shared or sold. See our Privacy Policy for details.
What age is this for?
Designed for children ages 1 to 5. The simple tap-based interface works for toddlers, while the vocabulary and video content stays engaging for older preschoolers.
Can I share the purchase with my family?
Yes. All purchases support Family Sharing on iOS. Buy once and everyone in your family group gets access.