Introducing the Content Library Jr.
Sep 26, 2022
In this digital age, it’s important that even young children are proficient in digital literacy. Digital literacy means understanding and using technology to consume, create, and share content. This includes knowing at least the basics of coding, a technical skill that will help prepare kids to participate in the digital environment, safely and responsibly.
Coding is a necessary 21st-century skill equally as important as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. And now, kids as young as third grade can begin to learn the fundamentals of coding with the Content Library Jr.
How early should kids start learning to code?
Kids as young as preschool can begin to learn the basic concepts around coding, like problem-solving, following directions, and collaboration, through a variety of unplugged games and activities. The goal of these games and activities is to help kids understand the step-by-step instructions humans give to machines in the way of computer programs.
Kids in early elementary grades can engage in games such as Coding Snakes and Ladders and Robot Turtles. Again the goal of these games is to help kids see the relationship between the script they write and the machine it operates.
What are the best beginner coding languages for kids?
And now with the Content Library Jr. kids as young as 3rd grade can learn to code with blocks-based programming languages, Scratch and Tinkercad Codeblocks.
By following along on the video lessons, students engage in activities, such as storytelling, drawing, and making music, in a digital manner. They learn the fundamentals of coding through drag-and-drop, blocks-based programming languages and learn to program a computer to draw a picture and tell a story.
Kids will also have the opportunity to build electrical circuits using a MicroBit and an Arduino (this can all be done virtually, with no need for hardware) and program them to light up and make sounds.
Each unit includes real-life, practical applications of skills kids learn from doing those projects. This is a fun and engaging way to get elementary-age kids involved in coding.
What’s next?
Once students have made their way through the Content Library Jr, they can progress to the Content Library and further their skills with the script-based programming language, Python, in addition to using Scratch, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and Tinkercad.
With motivation and a commitment to learning to code, young kids can enter college and career with a breadth of technical skills that are necessary for the digital age.
Sign up for both Content Library Jr and Content Library to get started on learning the most important technical skill of the 21st century.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
