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Home » Activities » Science » Teaching Kids Computer Science Has Never Been So Easy

Teaching Kids Computer Science Has Never Been So Easy

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure .

Teaching Kids Computer Science should be part of their learning. We spend so much time thinking and worrying about our children’s screen time that we forget that there are productive and beneficial ways to utilize technology within our children’s learning environment, as a part of the environment, not replacing any other vital part of the learning (e.g. we’re not trading hands-on science learning for an iPad app about nature). Check out these Resources on Teaching Kids to Code!

Teaching Kids Computer Science

One way to think about exposing our children to devices is to view the time spent as developing their technological thinking, or more simply, logic and problem-solving skills. Teaching children in computer science is essential in today’s world and for preparing them for the future job market.

Related Read: Teaching Computer Science to Kids

A child does not have to be a computer programming whiz but basic knowledge of how “the stuff” works is crucial (think: anatomy in high school didn’t mean you were going to become a doctor but having the information helps in life). Of course, there will be the brilliant few in a leading contingent of the next Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates but let’s not get too caught up in the “what ifs”…

Teaching a Kid to Code

 “We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” ~Stacia Tauscher

Code.org’s (a non-profit promoting K-12 computer science education) recent Hour of Code truly inspired me to begin my research on what to bring into our home. My sons are 4.5 and 3 years old so I need fairly basic materials. Plus I have a lot of learning to do on my own so researching for what they might crave down the line is a good use of my time.

Teaching Kids Computer Science

Below are a few of my finds for primary and elementary aged children.

Resources

  • Code.Org offers tutorials, curriculum, and many more resources to students and teachers (k-12)
  • Mitch Resnick’s Ted Talk creates a sense of urgency and makes us understand why we should focus on computer science education
  • Kahn Academy is a supporter of teaching computer science on many levels and offers many resources
  • Marshall Brain: Teaching Kids How to Write Computer Programs
  • Edutopia

Online Fun

  • Magic Pen – Be patient with this one loading up! It is worth it.
  • Tynker Games has tons to offer children across a range of ages

iPad Apps

  • Move the Turtle
  • Daisy the Dinosaur
  • Hopscotch
  • Kodable

Computer-Less Fun

  • Blokus is a strategy based board game fun for the whole family
  • Unplugged Curriculum is an amazing and FREE resource from the National Center for Women & Information Technology works with color by number (image representation), counting dots (binary numbers) and card flip magic (error detection and correction).  My 4.5-year-old is very into patterns, connect the dots and color by number right now so these activities are right up his alley.
  • Snap Circuits is a ridiculously cool product for children to build many projects including a doorbell and a radio.

I hope you found this post useful to your home and your classroom! Do you teach code to children? I’d love to hear your ideas and resources!

Marnie

Tagged With: Elementary, Homeschool, Preschool, Technology & Engineering

About Marnie Craycroft

Marnie hails from Maine where she spent summers buried in sand and winters buried in snow. She is the daughter of a nearly four decade veteran of the public school systems. Teaching has always been a part of her life. She founded Carrots Are Orange in 2010.

Carrots Are Orange is a Montessori learning and living website for parents and teachers.

Marnie graduated from Wesleyan University in 1999 with a BA in Economics. She spent nearly a decade working in investment management. In 2006, she earned her MA in business from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.

Marnie moved to the west coast in 1999 and currently lives in Boulder with her husband and three sons. She is Montessori trained. Her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy, Buzzfeed, PBS Kids, BabyCenter, the Melissa & Doug blog, Huffington Post, and WhattoExpect.com. Besides writing, passions include running (usually after her three sons), photography, and outdoor adventures.

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