introducing younger schoolchildren to IT

Every modern child studying in primary school inevitably gets involved in the IT space. From the age of 7, he begins to use a computer not only for games, but also for study, and there is a conditional requirement: he must be confident in a number of programs. And modern children studying in grades 1–4 are increasingly interested in writing code, especially through the example of developing their own games and completing similar projects. The noted facts can be used as a basis for teaching programming as early as 7–8 years old.

We are in Pixel Together with young students – primary schoolchildren – we successfully write code using Scratch Jr, Scratch and even Python. But for some, simple directions are difficult due to a lack of understanding of the basics, while other guys demonstrate maximum involvement and move from the first simple steps to more complex actions and languages.

We do not insist, but we note: mastering the basics of programming in primary school means laying the foundation for the second literacy necessary for any modern child. This is also a way to develop a number of important skills that will be useful in school and everyday life, as well as in professional activities in the future, even if the child does not want to become a programmer.

Today we want to consider a number of interesting areas that even students in the first to fourth grades of secondary schools can master. But we suggest starting with the advantages: let’s figure out why at all and whether it’s worth teaching modern children to program.

When to start and why even study programming in grades 1–4

Let's look at a number of typical questions: they often arise among parents who enroll their children in programming courses.

When should you start: in 1st grade or later?

In this matter, we consider abstract reflections unacceptable, so we suggest turning to the experience and practice of our teachers.

“I think that 7 years is the ideal age to start learning programming. But not in the typical sense, but using the example of block coding. I would like to argue my opinion by the fact that modern children, already in their first school lessons, learn, among other things, to be disciplined and to understand the essence of the information offered.

I consider an additional advantage of age to be an active interest in the world around us and the development of attention to detail, especially with the gamification of the educational process. This, I believe, is what makes Scratch and its simplified version Junior good tools.”

A. Andreeva, teacher at Pixel School

Not all of our teachers share this opinion, but if we take the whole, the range from first to fourth grades (7–10 years old) is a conditional median.

“My colleagues teach programming to preschoolers, but I don’t go into the details of their programs. I would like to note something else: the direction I implement (Scratch) is an ideal choice for second graders. All my students 8 years old and older successfully cope with block programming, and some go further: to Roblox, Python courses, etc.

I would like to add to my opinion after a conversation with colleagues and emphasize that grades 1–4 are a good time to immerse younger students in the basics of writing code. But it’s better to devote the first stage of this segment to block coding, and not let children learn Python right away: visual environments like Scratch are a good place to start.”

A. Dorofeeva, teacher at Pixel School

So, the first and second grades can be considered a guideline. We don’t insist, but if we start from the experience and practice of teachers working with children of primary school age, the corresponding conclusion becomes obvious. And if you take the whole, you can understand that 7–10 years is a completely normal period of time when you can start learning coding.

What are the benefits of diving into the basics of coding early, and where is the best place to start?

We recommend starting with Scratch Jr, Scratch, Code, Minecraft Education Edition and Code Builder. These tools are designed for block programming – a direction that introduces children to the basics and basic principles of coding. Only then can you take a closer look at Lua and Python and more complex text languages ​​like C#.

“Really, it’s better to start with Scratch. First or second class is not so important. The fact is that Scratch is designed in a way that is conducive to intuitive understanding. Here's a simple example compared to Python: a younger student will understand a colorful “If” block better than an if block.

And yet, it’s not worth excluding Python from the general educational route in IT: when Scratch gets bored due to its absolute clarity, you can move on and move on to text languages, as, say, in the Python coding courses in Minecraft taught by my Colleagues”.

D. Khutorenko, teacher at Pixel School

Now about the benefits. If we talk about them narrowly, then we are talking about developing an understanding of the principles and fundamentals: the child will get acquainted with algorithms, learn to use various structures, albeit in a simplified form. This will become a powerful basis if programming courses for younger schoolchildren or independent studies create a sustainable interest in coding and a desire to learn further.

Let us briefly note additional advantages without detailed explanations: we have often written about the advantages in other articles. Here's what we're talking about:

• Development of logical thinking;

• Formation of mindfulness;

• Improving school performance, etc.

Which direction should you choose?

From the information presented, it is clear that it is important to take age into account. Here is an approximate sequence of steps, or an approximate educational route:

• Computer literacy;

• Scratch Junior

• Kodu Game Lab;

• TinkerCAD;

• Scratch;

• Minecraft Education Edition and Code Builder;

• Python, etc.

We suggest considering each direction in relation to specific classes and age periods: this will help you choose an option that is adequate to the child’s educational abilities. In total, we will highlight 8 conditional positions and talk about their essence and content.

1. Computer literacy for students in grades 1–4

It is noted that the optimal programming language in 1st grade is Scratch (Scratch Jr is also suitable for children without experience), but it is better to start with computer literacy and the basics of computer science. Yes, first-graders and older children are good at using a PC, but rather at the level of gamers. Rarely a junior schoolchild knows how to work correctly with files and some application programs, although this is important: the ability to create the same presentations and type, correctly format abstracts and reports is a plus from the point of view of school education.

At Pixel, as part of a corresponding course, we teach children:

• Using Docs, Sheets and Slides – services created by Google for working with text, tables and presentations, respectively;

• Safe handling of resources on the Internet;

• Competent and correct use of a PC;

• Using the Python language as an example of writing a simple program that counts the time spent in class. We emphasize that the topic is allocated to a small part of one of the course modules, so there is no talk of full-fledged coding training.

For an example of what children will be able to create after mastering computer literacy in grades 1–4, we offer video: It shows you how to make a spreadsheet and use some of the features of Google Sheets.

2. Scratch Junior for teaching programming to first-graders

The optimal age to start is 5 years: at this time, the average modern child is already able to understand how to use Scratch Jr. tools.

Self-study or Scratch Jr courses will help:

• Understand the principles of block coding using the example of the capabilities of the environment developed by the staff of the MIT Media Laboratory specifically for children 5–7 years old;

• Learn to create simple games, animations and interactive stories. This is a plus: the game format engages in learning, making it interesting even for restless first-graders.

The peculiarity of the environment is maximum simplicity: even problems with reading will not become an obstacle to understanding the basics.

Here example projectwhich even a beginner child – a 1st grade student – ​​can do in Scratch Jr.

3. Kodu Game Lab for first grade students

Kodu is an environment created for developing simple 3D games. To put it simply, this is a visual designer with which you can create your own virtual worlds, manage objects and characters.

The peculiarity of Kodu comes down to the fact that the developer, Microsoft, specifically provided tools for teaching children.

Starting to use Kodu on your own for free or in courses means laying the foundation for further immersion in programming and development. The advantage of the designer is the opportunity to learn from the example of creation:

• In-game objects and objects, virtual phenomena;

• Characters and scenarios of their behavior.

To better understand the capabilities of the environment, we recommend video clip: In it, the teacher explained how to create an underwater world in Kodu.

4. TinkerCAD for children studying in grades 1–3 of secondary schools

3D modeling and programming for children in grades 1–3 are conventional areas that can be mastered thanks to TinkerCAD, an application or service that has tools for:

• Design in 3D;

• Introduction to circuit design and the basics of electronic circuits;

• Studying block programming.

TinkerCAD is a powerful tool, but also a complex one: self-learning is given to all elementary school students. Therefore, you can enlist the support of a strong tutor.

Whatever the choice, the advantages of the environment remain unchanged. This:

• Free;

• Learning through practice: there is no need to memorize or cram anything, you can immediately complete your first projects right in the service;

• Possibility to start from scratch even without minimal experience.

5. Scratch for children studying in 2nd grade and older children

You can learn Scratch from the age of 8. The instrument is considered the older brother of Scratch Jr. The developer is the same, but the target audience is different. The main difference is the relative complexity: to work with the program you need to be able to read (in Scratch Junior, the blocks do not contain inscriptions). Scratch has a wider range of tools: you can add your own images and sounds, and create blocks from scratch.

Otherwise, the environments are similar, so we will not repeat them. But we would like to note that in programming lessons for 2nd grade children, the same game principle is implemented: immersion in the basics of coding is carried out through the creation of simple games, animations and interactive cartoons. This is an advantage.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the mathematical games that you can learn to create in Scratch. This will help video.

6. Minecraft Education Edition and Code Builder for students in grades 1–4

We have a coding course for students in grades 1-4 where we use Minecraft Education Edition and the Code Builder feature for writing code using blocks. The latter include examples of parts of programs written in JavaScript and Python. This is a plus: even coding simple character actions using Code Builder lays the foundation for understanding relatively complex text languages.

Learning will be fun and not boring, because you will have to program:

• Mobs and gaming phenomena;

• Sequences of events;

• In-game scenarios, etc.

7. Python in Minecraft for kids 9–13 years old

Python is often used in programming courses for students in grades 3–7. Realizing the potential of learning it is possible in conjunction with Minecraft, an indie game in the sandbox genre. Gamification is a plus: developing mods for the gaming universe captivates children and encourages them to engage with special enthusiasm.

We would like to note that learning the Python language should begin provided that the child is already familiar with block coding. Understanding the basics and principles of programming will help you better cope with diving into text code.

Here interesting videowhich will help you better understand the possibilities of the direction. It tells you how to create a rocket in Python in Minecraft.

8. Roblox and Lua for children in 3rd grade and older children

Roblox is a platform where children can create games online. To do this, you will need to master Lua, a language designed for programming in-game events.

The potential of Roblox is well revealed in conjunction with the Roblox Studio engine, where you can make various objects and objects, and then add them to your own game worlds.

As before, the plus is gamification. Mastering the tools of Roblox and the Lua language will be necessary in parallel with the first steps in developing simple games.

We recommend a selection of lessons: It provides step-by-step video instructions to help you figure out how to make PUBG: Battlegrounds from scratch.

We would like to summarize and note that there are enough areas of IT training available for a first-grader or another child up to the end of 4th grade. Modeling, writing code, development – one of these options will definitely captivate a younger student.

We will be glad if you can find a direction. Let’s finish here and ask you to share your opinion: do you think it’s worth teaching children to program and is coding the second literacy in the 21st century?

Material prepared by Pixel School. We teach children and teenagers how to write code, game development, 3D modeling and website creation. If one of the presented areas has attracted you and you want to enlist the support of strong teachers, come visit us.