Osmo Coding takes the computational thinking of programming and makes it easy-to-learn, hands-on, totally fun, and gamified so that even the youngest learners can develop coding knowledge within a playful format. I'm sold on this as a fun way for kids to develop foundational programming skills! Hands-On Coding for Kids with Osmo When kids learn to program, they start with … [Read more...]
Robotics for Kids with Cubelets
I'm so jazzed about Cubelets -- they're a playful way to introduce robotics for kids as well as develop computational thinking (programming skills). Each little robotic block or cube is a mini-program. When magnetically snapped together with another cube or cubes, it creates a robot that can perform more complex functions. Think simple machine into complex machine but in this case, a robotic … [Read more...]
Cool New STEM Apps for Brainiacs
I've found tons of cool new STEM apps for your brainiac children ages 2 to 13! STEM means these apps are about science, engineering, technology, and math. STEM normally means that one or more of those subjects are in the content -- but for this post, I'm including all apps that have any STEM skills, even if they're straight science or math. Each app has links to the Apple Store and the Android … [Read more...]
40+ Coding Classes, Websites, Games, and Apps for Kids
If you're looking for coding or pre-coding classes, games, toys, and apps, for your kids to learn to code, you'll find everything you need here. But first, let's define terms. Coding is learning a foreign language -- a machine foreign language. Just like any language, the ability to read and write it is a literacy of it's own. The biggest benefit of learning to code is that kids develop … [Read more...]
The BEST Java Class Online — Programming for Kids
My 10-year old daughter loves Minecraft. Now she's learning how to program her own Minecraft server in Java thanks to Youth Digital's excellent Server Design Java Minecraft programming class online. I'm so so so blown away by how amazing this online class is, you guys!! And I'm not a newbie with this, either. I've taken online classes and taught online classes. Hands down, this is the BEST coding … [Read more...]
Innovative Coding Apps for Kids
With the emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in the schools, some kids are learning to program (code) right alongside their reading, writing, and math lessons. There's no denying that technology will be a huge part of their future. You'll be amazed at all the inventive games and programs to help your kids learn the basics of coding -- all while they're having … [Read more...]
Learning to Program Empowers Kids (and It’s Easier Than You Think!)
Remember how great MaKey MaKey was for confidence & innovative thinking? MaKey MaKey gave us the idea of programming for kids, to make our own game using Scratch. Scratch is a website from MIT specifically for kids. Kids can program stories, games, and animation. And, it's so much easier than you might think! Programming for Kids Watch a Scratch Tutorial It's frustrating to try to … [Read more...]