Does anyone here ever heard or tried to teach coding? I mean for computer. Of course that for a toddler it must be a custom program. As a computer scientist, I always thought this as important as an activity just like piano or soccer. But I never considered early teaching this until now.
I’m also interested in this! Following!
Never really considered it, but suppose it could be a possibility
My husband is a programmer as well, so we have talked a lot about this. While I haven’t actually taught programming yet, my 5-year-old is probably ready now, so thanks for the reminder! I have been collecting resources though, and this is what I have:
http://csunplugged.org/
http://scratch.mit.edu/
http://logo.codeplex.com/
If you have the budget, program lego robots to do stuff.
http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx
While it’s not coding per-say, we have had a lot of fun building computer skills with Xtranormal. http://www.xtranormal.com/
New google search today, I liked this article: http://marshallbrain.com/kids-programming.htm
I don’t plan on teaching my 2-year-old programming simply because there are other, more basic skills we are working on like how to hold a pencil, cut paper, and such, as well as the basic early learning stuff like the three R’s, encyclopedic knowledge, piano, and the list goes on. But I think my 5-year-old could really benefit from this stuff. There’s a certain maturity that EL can’t bestow. You have to sit through the creation process and few 2-year-olds have that kind of attention span. But if an older kid has had the benefits of EL, when they are ready, go for it! (I never thought I would be referring to my 5-year-old as an “older kid” for homeschooling purposes. lol )
I learnt to use Turtle Logo when I was young (around 5). I think that was an excellent toddler/pre-schooler level coding programme. 
I saw this video today. Although it is not about EL, it shows very well the importance of coding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nKIu9yen5nc
About EL and code, I think that perhapes the “early” here is really around 5.
But I think that some activities, like programming a path for a car in a grid game is a great way to start thinking without being bothered to write.
I can’t imagine what could be some “Little Hacker” and if it would be worthy, but perhaps something like the example above, where a baby could see a sequence being made, and then, the sequence being applied and running.
Yes I was going to say Turtle Logo too.
An actual robot one would be good to see visually what is happening. You can build your own if you are handy!
There are a few others to buy though. I’ve never seen one in action, only in video.
I guess initially you could also have your toddler walk out the commands eg forward 1, turn left etc and see what pattern they make. Or use a peg board with a piece of string
My 6 year old really enjoys scratch. He works through the lessons on his own, but often begs to free play and creates little “movies” or games.
Another resource we’ve considered looking into is Alice (http://www.alice.org/index.php) and storytelling Alice (http://www.alice.org/kelleher/storytelling/)
Well, If I have time I’ll make a simple software which believe will be better for kids under 6. Then I’ll show you.
What were you thinking for the software? I am a computer programmer too and am curious!
I did look into Scratch but for use with primary aged kids
I’m thinking about something simple. I guess I won’t be able to test with my DS since he is 18 months.
But something this:
A left column to store the command sequence
Commands will be arrows
One arrow/command per line
On the right, the main area, there will be a grid. In the grid, there will be a path.
Kid must program with a sequence of arrows to make the car reach the end of the path
Each command will make the car to move to an adjacent square in the grid.
If the car goes out of the path, game over.
After making the sequence, the kid has to press a Run button in the bottom of left column.
What do you think jayta? What age is it for?
I think it’s different then mounting bricks, since the kid has to plan what to do before pressing run.
I just wanted to chime in that these are all fantastic ideas and resources. Thanks!
It sounds like a good intro. I have no idea what age it is for though as my daughter is only 17 months and I havent had much experience with toddlers.
It sounds like it could be expandable though. From the initial one arrow = one move in that direction, more into a Logo style thing. On another level, add in turning. So you have to first turn left, in order to walk/drive left. And another level, if you wanted to move 2 moves left, it could show ← 2 for example.
Another option - maybe another version where they have to ‘catch’ as many ‘coins’ (or whatever) is on the screen. So even if their program doesn’t work as expected they will see the car go across the screen, as opposed to getting stuck in a maze. You could get points for getting all the coins in the most efficient path etc, some ratio of moves to coins collected.
also for younger kids, I think it could be still acted out in person, rather than on the computer - use cards with arrows on them and get them to make a pile showing the predetermined moves. Then they walk out their path and see if it worked etc.
Good luck with it. Hope you can find the time somewhere
Those are great ideas jayta!
I think that there could be some “ifs”, for example, if there is a person crossing the lane on a specific square, car should not move.
I also think that for really young babies, the system could start “coding” by himself and then run, so baby can watch. But i have no idea if this could really work.
Great idea about the pedestrians!
And I love the idea about the program running through its own code. My daughter has just figured out the terms forwards and backwards (she goes backwards and forwards in her cosy coupe), so I think that the would be able to follow something like that on the screen. Left and right would be a bit harder. But if the arrow shows the direction, it should be ok.
I’ve been trying to find a suitable keyboard to purchase for her to use, without all of the Function/windows keys etc but haven’t found anything just right as yet. I wonder if a game controller, or even a joystick could work for even more basic controls.
The joystick is a good subject. When my son was about 9 months I let him play a game on PS3 twice. Then he lost interest. Although he understood quite well that the joystick would move the character, he was too young to plan the moves. Now I could try again.
I don’t know if you are used to a ps3 but if compared to an iPad, it has a huge and unexplored potential when it comes to educational software for kids. LR for example would be perfect for PS3. I think Ps3 is expensive and not so popular. Its popularity should have happened when the world was on crisis. Anyway, ps3 has still a great potential. I miss EL software for it.
I’ve never thought to let my daughter try with a joystick. I’ll have to see if I can find some sort of basic moving around game on either the pc or ps3. What game did you use?
We have a ps3 but havent used it in the past year or more.
I’ve been looking at this program for when Cayden is a little older. I just saw they are running a free trial now through March 29. It is a video that is about 30 mins. I will probably see if Cayden will watch but if not I’m sure I can get him to listen to it a few times. It’s not dactyl about coding but I thought this would be a good place to post it. Here is a brief description: This course is designed to quickly lead you through the steps of building an HTML website, from creating a new page to building links and tables. Course topics include the basic structure of an HTML document, choosing a code editor, font styling with CSS, inserting text and images, and linking to downloadable content.
http://www.lynda.com/HTML-tutorials/Up-Running-with-HTML/108128-2.html
After a quick google search I came across The “invent with Python” Blog which has two books by Al Swelgart available for free PDF downloads - invent your own computer games with python and making games with python and pygame. You can see the book reviews on amazon which are impressive.
A brief description from the blog about the books:
Kids as young as 9 (or even younger) can learn programming, it doesn’t require math skills beyond basic arithmetic.
Making video games is the best way to learn programming and stay interested.
Python is one of the best programming languages to learn for a first language.
If your kid finds typing frustrating, then Scratch might be a better language to learn.
“Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python†is a free book that teaches programming to complete beginners in Python.
py2exe can help your kid share their programs with their friends.
When making your own games, computer version of board games or simple games of chance are a good starting point.
http://inventwithpython.com/blog/2010/09/27/i-want-to-teach-my-kid-how-to-program/