Sesame Street Teaching Kids How To Code
There is plenty of kids coding activities, apps, and games. But how awesome it is that Sesame Street, a show I watched regularly growing up is keeping up with the latest kids trends, ie coding.
I remember watching Sesame Street and learning about basic numbers and letters.
Sesame Street has always targeted pre-schoolers as an educational show focussing on music, alphabets, shapes, and counting.
Now Big Bird has reinvented itself and will teach kids about basic coding concepts through it’s show.
In order to watch the new Sesame Street show, you will need to subscribe to Apple TV +
Later in this blog, I will explain more what Apple TV + is and how you can access it. For now, let’s read what Big Bird has to say about coding.
Don’t forget to get this free copy
Why Big Bird wants to teach kids about coding:
In its PR event last week Apple stated that “coding fosters collaboration, critical thinking skills and is an essential language that every child can learn,”
“By teaching preschoolers about coding, we’re giving them the opportunity to change the world!,”
Sesame Street is going to make the show appealing to kids by incorporating funky dances and cool music.
This new Sesame show is known as Sesame Workshop.
As for now, we don’t know how the show will look like as there is no trailer for it yet.
Now for those of you who don’t know what Apple TV+ is let me explain it below.
pssst, don’t forget to pin this
What is Apple TV+
Just last week Apple announced that it will introduce a new TV subscription service known as Apple TV +
- Basically, it is competing with Netflix and Amazon Prime video.
- Apple TV + will have its own original TV series which you can live stream or download to watch.
- Apple TV+ will be available in iPhones, Ipad, and Apple computers.
- The service will also be available in Smart TV app from companies like Samsung, Sony and LG.
- You can also get Apple TV+ on Roku and Amazon Fire Stick.
At the moment, we don’t know if we can get it on non-apple mobile phones.
The new Sesame Street show can be watched in Apple TV +
When will Apple TV+ be launched :
Apple TV+ will launch in over 100 countries in Autumn 2019.
Will Apple TV+ be available in the UK?
Right now Apple has not given the list of the 100 countries where it will launch this service. But I am quite certain the UK will be on that list.
Right not surely, Apple has stated that Apple TV+ will not be given to Android phone users. Netflix, on the other hand, is available in almost all devices.
Children’s online safety book- For 3 -10 years old
How much will Apple TV+ cost ?
A price has not been given out by Apple. Also, right now we don’t know if the service will be made available to current IOS users or whether a new account need to be made.
Will I subscribe to Apple TV+ so my kids can learn to code from Big Bird?
It is hard to tell right now since we don’t know the price of the subscription. With plenty of other activities and shows that can teach kids to code , I will wait until the launch to see how good it actually is.
Here are other coding games for 4+ years old kids:
1. App : Daisy the Dinosaur
This is a free app to download on any IOS device. It is targeted to kids as young as 4 to learn the basic concept of coding. Once the game is completed, you will be given a kit to download that you can then use to create your own computer game.
However, do know that your child need to be able to read well in order to play this game.
What I like about this game is that the character Daisy is appropriate for young kids. The instructions in the game are also simple for smaller children to understand.
If you don’t mind reading the instructions of the game to your kids then this is a fun game.
Price: Free
Age suitability: 4+
Children’s online safety book- For 3 -10 years old
2. Board Game : Robot Turtles
This is a board game. A nice alternative to apps. It brings programming to life. The purpose of the game is to get the turtle to match the colored jewel on the board.
Robot turtles have been featured in the New York Times and Wired magazine.
I like how easy it is to play the game and the whole family can be involved. Making learning more fun.
The game can be played by 4 players. Each kid can choose their favorite turtle
and an instruction card is given to them so they can complete the maze on the board.
Price : $24.99
Age suitablity : 4+
3. Toy : Fisher Price Code-a-Pillar Coding Caterpillar
This toy is perfect for a family with no coding or programming skills.
It is a caterpillar that teaches kids the basics of coding which is, sequencing and giving ‘robot’ instructions.
What I like about this toy:
I like how fun and ‘easy’ it is to play. You arrange the different parts of the caterpillar to instruct its movement.
I saw online that kids build obstacles at home using pillows and boxes and then arrange the caterpillar to go around it. Thus encouraging them to be innovative with the things they have lying around their house.
It is not just coding it teaches but also patience as many times kids will have to redo the movements.
And of course encourages them to not give up until caterpillar reaches its end point.
The issue I see with this toy is :
it requires a big space. I have tried it on hard floor and it works fine but am not sure how it works on a carpet.
It says it is appropriate for age 3–6 years old . I am not sure if a 3 year old would really understand the concept of the toy. This depends on each kid.
It is a little hard to estimate the distance the caterpillar would go.
The music is really loud. There is no way to make it soft unless you mute it.
Price : 32 pound
Age Suitability: 4+
Looking for other educational apps or toys to evoke creativity in kids? Check out the following apps :
Storyball interactive smart ball where kids get to complete a number of activities such as quizzes and challenges while being outdoor
Fisher price Code a pillar teaches kids to code without a screen
Fitbit for kids allows you to monitor your kids activities
Harry potter coding kit enables your child can build their own wand using a connected app on Apple or Android device. Amazing way to teach kids how to code especially if they are already a Harry Potter Fan.
Ps: I am not paid to write this blog post, I am just a fan!
Finally dont forget:
Children’s online safety book- For 3 -10 years old
Say Hello On: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Join the eParenting Community On : Facebook
This post originally published in : https://kidsnclicks.com/sesame-street-teaching-kids-how-to-code-via-apple-tv/
