Coding is essential in the 21st Century. Help your child be future-ready by learning computer programming, logic, graphic design, animation and problem solving in a fun and playful way. Digital literacy, that is technology creation not just technology consumption, is as vital as traditional literacy and numeracy.

At Coding Kids we recognise the difference between playing games (technology consumption) and writing the software to build games (technology creation). We focus on technology creation because this is the foundation for building software, programs, and apps whether they are enterprise software, data analysis or game design. The skills associated with game design transfers to all other software development in terms of problem-solving, logic, algorithmic thinking, maths, user interface etc.

Here is an example of what we do in class and the learning outcomes it brings. Click on this link to see our simple Pacman-style game that we built on Scratch. In building this game we learn these fundamental concepts to computer programming:

1. sequencing (a computer will execute the commands from top to bottom unless specified otherwise and that one action or event will lead to another)
2. branching / decisions (making decisions based on conditions)
3. looping (repeating actions)
4. collision detection (determining whether two objects are touching)
5. variables – storing data (keeping score by storing this data in a variable called ‘score’ and increasing the value at specific events e.g. when Pacman eats a circle)
6. Cartesian coordinates (using coordinates to control the movement of objects in 4 directions)
7. animation using a sequence of still graphics

Whether building enterprise software or computer games, all programming languages, e.g. Python or C++, require an understanding of these fundamentals.

• We build our own games, animation, interactive stories, multimedia projects and digital art. We build games similar to Angry Birds, Flappy Bird, Pac-Man, Breakout, Tetris and Space Invaders and even add our own twists on them.
• We explore and discover logic: sequence of events, looping/repeat, decisions/if/else, calculations, x & y coordinates, random numbers, variables, inputs & outputs.
• We learn to plan our projects, test and retest our code, collaborate with others and develop a clear approach to problem-solving.
• We use free online tools: Scratch, Code Academy, Code Combat.
• We cover cyber safety.
• We discover how coding is used in the real world: games, websites, animation, apps, driverless cars, Internet of Things…

At Coding Kids, children build their own games, animation, interactive stories, multimedia projects, and digital art. Children build games with inspiration from the classics such as Angry Birds, Flappy Bird, Pac-Man, Breakout, Tetris and Space Invaders.

Scratch for beginners and Intermediate Scratch are targeted to children in Years 2-6 (6 – 11 year olds).

Scratch for beginners is perfect for those who have zero or minimal coding experience.

Intermediate Scratch requires children to already be able to complete the following in Scratch:

• move sprites using x-y co-ordinates
• control sprites using arrow keys
• animate sprites by changing costumes
• change the background
• add a new sprite
• use a ‘When green flag clicked’ block when required
• use the ‘repeat’ block to avoid repeating sequences of commands
• use ‘if’ blocks to make decisions
• use a ‘touching’ and ‘if’ block to check whether two sprites are touching.

Beginners Python is targeted to students in Years 5-9 (10-14 year olds). No previous coding experience is required. Scratch experience is not a prerequisite.

If you want Coding Kids in your child’s school, contact us here.

Coding Kids offers a Junior program for 7-11 year olds and Senior program for 11-15 year olds.

Our Junior program includes:

• visual programming with Scratch
• 3D modelling with TinkerCad
• app design

Our Senior program includes:

• app design
• web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• programming with Python

Our courses are based on achievement of computer programming competencies. At each course level, students learn to use a set of commands and approaches to problem-solving. Here are the course levels for each subject:

Scratch

Beginner Scratch courses:

1. Art and Animation
2. Space and Exploration
3. Sports and Games
4. Fantasy and Stories

Intermediate Scratch courses

1. Science and Future
2. Imaginary Worlds and Creatures
3. Game Design
4. The Classics

Each course level focuses on achieving a set of competencies. Students discover the new competencies, explore their new skills in various contexts and consolidate them in new projects. For more info on our Scratch programs.

Python

Python is a high-level, general-purpose computer programming language. It has been used in many popular applications: YouTube, DropBox, Google, Quora, Instagram, BitTorrent, Spotify, and Reddit. Learning to code with Python is a great place to start for any beginner.

In this course, you can use Python to program computer games, animations, dynamic websites, development boards and much more.

1. Python Level 1
2. Python Level 2
3. Python Level 3
4. Python Level 4

Each level focuses on a set of competencies. For more information on our Python program.

Web development

Web development is an umbrella term for any work that involves developing websites for the Internet, or on private networks. It can be anything from creating a small and simple website, to creating sophisticated web-based applications and services. In our web development courses, we focus on creating simple and functional web pages.

1. Web Dev Level 1
2. Web Dev Level 2
3. Web Dev Level 3
4. Web Dev Level 4

Each level focuses on a set of competencies. For more information on our web development program.

3D modeling with TinkerCad

1. 3D design with TinkerCad

Send an email for more information on other courses.

Short answer

Almost any laptop on the market is suitable for your child to use at Coding Kids. If it has a keyboard, screen, WiFi, and runs Windows, OSX, or a Linux flavour, it’s more than sufficient for use.

Long answer

There are a number of different hardware options that differentiate a cheap laptop from an expensive laptop. It’s up to you to decide what’s right for you.

Storage

You have two main types of storage: older HDD (hard disk drive) and SSD (solid state drive). HDDs are slower, more prone to failure, but are much cheaper and store much more. SSDs are much faster, but have a higher price for less storage space. A SSD will make your computer boot (turn on) very quickly. It is also useful for anything that requires loading of files. A SSD is also a lot more power efficient.

The best option is a SSD that your operating system boots from with secondary HDD storage for documents, photos, and videos.

Processor

The processor generally dictates how fast your computer will be. It controls almost everything. A single core processor can only run one instruction at a time. The more cores a processor has, the more instructions can be processed at once. The processor’s speed (usually expressed in GHz) tell you how many instructions are processed per second. Generally, the higher the better.

If you only plan to do light activities, such as web browsing and typing documents, a single core processor such as an Intel Atom, Pentium, or i3 is fine. If you plan to multi-task, do video or photo editing, or game, an Intel i5 (dual core) or i7 (quad core) is desirable. Comparable AMD processors are also good.

Graphics

Everything you see on your computer is controlled by your graphics card. The graphics card controls each individual pixel on your screen and tells it what to do. Nearly all laptops have integrated graphics, which are graphics chips that are bundled with the processor. Some laptops also have discrete graphics, which are much more powerful chips. Desktops generally have discrete graphics cards.

For everyday activities, the Intel HD 500 series is more than enough. If you plan on video or photo editing or gaming, you should consider a computer with discrete graphics. The NVIDIA 10 series (GTX 1050-GTX 1080) of chips/cards are excellent in this regard. The NVIDIA 9 series (GTX 950-GTX 980, laptop variants have M) are aging but will get the job done. AMD cards are also good.

Memory

Memory is different from storage. Memory is everything that your computer is using at the time: open files, loaded applications, etc. As such, the more memory you have, the more things you can have open at once without impacting performance. In general, the supplied RAM with your computer should be sufficient. 4GB is a good amount.

Battery

Your laptop requires power to function. When it’s not connected to the wall, it runs off its battery. Your battery life depends on two main things: how big your battery is and what your laptop is doing. Lighter laptops generally have smaller batteries. However, they have less powerful hardware, meaning they last longer.

If you aren’t able to remember your child’s login, there are a couple of options:

•  You can request a password reset via the Scratch website. When you click Sign in, click on the “Need Help?” section in the bottom right hand corner of the menu that appears. All you need to do is enter the email address associated with your child’s account, and you should receive a reset link shortly.
• If the above proves unsuccessful, you can simply create a new account. This will, however, mean that you are not able to directly edit previous projects.