During this week’s class, we discussed coding for children. In today’s world, technology is everywhere and expanding everyday. Integrating technology into our classroom is important because it exposes children to the copious amounts of technology, like coding, that is accessible to us. But why should we be teaching it to children? Coding is an ever-growing and important technological component of our world. Understanding coding can help children explain the world and develop problem solving and computational thinking skills. And most of all, it’s fun! When teachers don’t know much, or anything, about coding, integrating it into their classes can be daunting, but there is a great online resource called Code BC which provides coding resources that work with the BC Curriculum. There are also many other online resources and websites that provide games and activities to students to aid them in their journey to learn code.

Coding for Kids Resources: 

– Scratch

https://scratch.mit.edu/

Scratch is a block-based, visual programming website, suitable for 8-16 year-olds, that teaches coding. By using a block-like interface, children can code a variety of different projects

– Scratch Jr.

https://www.scratchjr.org/

Scratch Jr. is similar to Scratch but suitable for 5-8 year-olds. Its block-based, visual programming uses pictures, instead of words, so children who can’t read yet can still code.

– Sphero and Beebot

https://sphero.com/

These are two different programs that teach children how to program robots to move and go through obstacle courses.

– Code.org

https://code.org/

This is a non-profit dedicated to both expanding access to Computer Science in schools, and increasing participation from underrepresented groups like women. Their vision is for every child in school to have the opportunity to learn Computer Science as part of their K-12 education.

– csunplugged

https://csunplugged.org/en/

Computer Science unplugged is a collection of materials to can be used to teach Computer Science through the use of games, puzzles, and lots of running around.

– Hour of Code

https://hourofcode.com/ca/learn

This website allows students to try hour-long tutorials in over 45 different coding languages. It has tutorials for all ages and it’s lots of fun!