Scratch Coding, for Parents
“A child educated only at school is an uneducated child.” ~ George Santayana
Parents are partners in their children’s education. They play a crucial role in shaping their children’s educational journey and preparing them for future success.
When parents actively engage in their child’s education, they create a nurturing and supportive environment that enhances academic success, promotes positive behaviour, and fosters social and emotional development. By taking an active role in their child’s education, parents become partners with teachers and schools, working together to provide the best possible education for their children.
In order to fulfil this role, we must empower parents to participate. We must invite them to understand how their children learn. The kinds of tools they use. The methods the teachers employ. Their learning environment.
Today, we will only focus on one of these. We will focus on Scratch Coding.
What is Scratch Coding?
As we explained here, Scratch Coding Scratch is an online programming language — available at no cost — that enables users to develop their own projects. These projects can be shared with other members of the Scratch community. Scratch adopts a block-based approach to coding, utilizing a creative interface composed of blocks.
By utilizing Scratch as a programming language, children have the opportunity to create interactive stories, animations, and games. They can then share their project creations within the online community. Engaging with Scratch in this manner encourages creative thinking, collaborative work, and logical reasoning among kids.
Who founded Scratch?
Founded in 2007 by Mitchel Resnick, a Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab, and David Siegel, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of an Investment Firm, it first began as a desktop application. In 2013, the application moved online; allowing users from around the world to share ideas and code together. Today, more than 200 million children across 196 countries interact with Scratch every year; including STEAMLabs Africa mentees, innovators and life-long learners (aka our students).
Is Scratch Free?
Yes, it is. You can register an account at https://scratch.mit.edu/
Is Scratch for Everyone?
Not Quite. Scratch was designed for 8–16-year-old learners. But anyone can use the language to learn how to code.
For learners aged 5–7, ScratchJr is also available.
If I want my children to learn how to code, is Scratch a good first option?
Yes, it is!
Scratch is so popular because it is designed for novices, in general, and young people, in particular.
It teaches young people how to code by using visual inputs. So, instead of learning the mechanics of writing a line of code or stressing about a missing semicolon or forgotten bracket, Scratch helps users understand the logic behind that code by moving blocks from their toolbox to the page. Within no time, Scratch users move from simple animation to creating complex games, with instructions and rules.
What other skills or lessons can my children learn on Scratch?
Scratch helps learners code to learn, rather than learn to code.
Coding to learn focuses on creativity, learning concepts and designing solutions through computer technology. As a result, learning is the primary outcome, not the development of coding as a technical skill.
On the other hand, learning to code focuses on acquiring skills and developing competence in those skills. As a result, the efficiency of the code and whether or not it works are the primary outcomes of this process. They matter more than the other skills you learn while coding.
Skills like collaboration, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, resilience and other essential 21st-century skills. Scratch has built-in features, like tinkering, experimentation, discussion, remixing and exploration, that nurtures and grows this mindset.
How can my child learn more about Scratch?
If you want to gain a deeper understanding of Scratch and its benefits for your children, consider the following resources:
- You can also sign up to get our new “Creative Coding with Scratch” book that will prepare you to support your child through their coding journey
- We also held a webinar on Scratch Coding for and with Parents in May 2023 which you can watch here.
- For a guided learning experience, consider enrolling your child in a dedicated kids’ coding school like ours (aka STEAMLabs Africa). We offer after-school coding classes, as well as private lessons, specifically designed for kids, with a focus on Scratch coding. To discover more, get in touch with us here.
