Everything You Need to Know About Block Programming for Kids

The world has entered the fourth industrial revolution, with traditional practices being rapidly automated by modern technology, and all of it runs on code. In our digital world, it is valuable for children to know how computers work, which is why it is a good idea for them to become familiar with coding.

Children learn from coding to solve problems and develop analytical thinking, and block coding is the easiest way to introduce coding concepts to children because it is so easy to understand and learn.

Block Coding

Block coding is the most elementary form of computer programming and a great way for children to start programming. Instead of writing complex lines of code, children use visual code blocks to create animations and games. This is an effective, attention-grabbing method that plays to their imagination and lays a foundation for computational thinking.

Each block performs a different function on the screen, with moving left, right and forward being the most basic ones. The visual approach makes programming easier, and because the code is grouped, problems are easier to find and fix.

Block coding uses a simple drag-and-drop method, with groups of code already loaded into the blocks. Children select a block and drag it into the work area. They can then add more blocks to the existing group, which hones their sense of creation.

Why Is Block Coding Important for Kids?

Block coding is an introduction to programming that builds children’s interest as they see how code makes games and animations work. It also strengthens computational thinking, which is essential in programming.

Coding is the language of our modern digital world, so it is important that children understand how technology follows our commands through programming languages. There are also skills that children build along the way when they code:

• Mathematical skills
• Writing
• Communication
• Creativity

What Is Scratch Block Coding?

MIT began developing Scratch in 2003 and released it in 2007 as a simple programming language for children to learn the basics of programming. Scratch also gives access to an online community where children share their projects. As children become familiar with programming through Scratch, they collaborate, think creatively and develop reasoning and analytical thinking.

Scratch is designed for people aged 8 to 16, and younger children can try ScratchJr, a simplified version designed for children aged 5 to 7.

Scratch has a library of blocks that lets users animate cartoon characters called sprites. A sprite can be thought of as a character or an object, so creating a character is like painting a sprite. Scratch’s block categories include looks, motion, sound and pen, with extensions such as video sensing and LEGO.

Children and Block Coding with Scratch

Using Scratch blocks is a fun and interactive way for children to develop their programming skills, because they can quickly bring their imagination to life.

The easiest way for children to start block coding is with the Scratch app or website. Even very young children develop coding skills through the activities in ScratchJr.

With block coding, children can create sprites and bring those characters to life with animation. With Scratch they can make clicker games, where a player clicks things such as balloons to earn points; chase games, where one sprite chases another; Pong games; or, most complex of all, an adventure game.

Block Coding and Books

Can children learn block coding from books, the traditional way? Yes. If you are not comfortable giving your child unsupervised access to a device, they can also learn block coding from books. There are many block coding books for children of different ages, from 6 to 16. For younger children, books with visual instructions help them develop an interest in coding and its concepts, along with fun activities to practise programming skills.

Picture-based block coding books are ideal for children who cannot read yet, while older children can use Scratch books with step-by-step guides to developing characters for animations and games. Some books take a hybrid approach that combines Scratch and Python, two languages that are popular because they are easy to understand and user-friendly.

A great feature of block coding is that it can also be tangible, not only on screen. Children can hold Scratch Cards, a set of cards that give a physical, visual representation of different coding lessons and concepts.

Block Coding in Schools

Our Bit-by-Bit books for Grades 1 to 8 teach block coding step by step, from Scratch Jr. in the early grades to Scratch later on, as part of the ITEC curriculum. Children at home can learn the same skills in our online Scratch Techno Camps.