Finding an app that is both entertaining and informative, as well as appealing to your children, maybe difficult – especially if it focuses on a subject like programming. The Scratch program, on the other hand, has managed to bridge that divide, and it’s actually something for which we run courses because of its simplicity of accessibility for children. But how educational is Scratch, and should you encourage your child to use it? We are obviously prejudiced, but we have a strong desire to educate kids, which is why we advocate Scratch as an instructional tool, and here’s why.
Is Scratch a learning tool?
There are numerous instructional apps aimed at kids. However, a huge proportion of them fail to accomplish their duties properly and are frequently preoccupied with in-app purchases rather than conveying useful knowledge to children. In a similar vein, it is not uncommon for apps created to assist kids to learn how to code to go by the wayside after a few years on the virtual market, becoming obsolete as developers gradually cease to routinely update them with new and fascinating material. Naturally, this may be extremely difficult for parents who are continuously on the lookout for new ways to introduce coding to their children.
Instead of always looking for new alternatives, parents should look for a platform that is instructive, dependable, economical, safe, enjoyable, and continually updated… which is precisely what Scratch is. Scratch, although being on the market for several years, is the ideal educational program and introduction to coding for younger children. Scratch’s creators claim that its major goal is to teach young children coding in a fun and easy-to-understand manner — a process that can be difficult for parents who have attempted it themselves. Scratch is instructive, and we’ll go over some of the main advantages that students may anticipate gaining from using and studying with it further down the page.
How does Scratch function?
Scratch is unique in that it is both a tool for teaching children how to program using block coding concepts and a visual programming language in its own right.
Children can learn a variety of programming languages, some of which are more complex than others. Scratch’s programming language, on the other hand, is one of the easiest to learn and use. It has a clever design and is suitable for children of all ages, but especially for younger children who wish to get started with coding.
Children can easily impart instructions to their computer, tablet, or phone to make things happen – simple at first, but with increasing complexity as they progress – by dragging sequences of blocks together on their app or website browser (something that many kids are already familiar with due to video games like Minecraft).
Within a short period of time, children will be able to construct their own complex-looking animations with these blocks. From there, a snowball effect unfolds, with children encouraged to participate in a variety of unique tasks and activities. Over time, kids will automatically gain a strong grasp of how to move and program blocks, allowing them to create their own projects totally on their own.
Once kids are confident in their abilities, they can collaborate with other “Scratchers” on huge projects if it is something they are interested in — in the FunTech Scratch course, we actively encourage cooperation on ideas in our virtual learning environment.
Scratch educates and benefits children in what ways?
Scratch, first and foremost, is instructive and good for children since it introduces them to programming in an easy-to-understand and enjoyable environment. Many studies have indicated that children are more likely to learn subjects when they appreciate and enjoy studying them. Furthermore, there is a wealth of research indicating that kids are more likely to retain skills they have acquired when these encounters are associated with happy and engaging memories — which Scratch unquestionably gives.
Furthermore, participation in Scratch’s vibrant community enhances the likelihood that young people would develop an interest in programming. Children can cultivate an appreciation for programming and create remarkable projects by talking with and teaming up with like-minded friends. If they’re really lucky, their project might even make it to the highlighted page, allowing them the opportunity to reap the benefits of their efforts.
Another advantage that most parents are unaware of is the opportunity for kids to practice their online communication abilities. Although Scratch does not provide direct messaging, children can comment on their peers’ work and offer words of encouragement or other good gestures. In a world where more and more organizations are moving their operations entirely online, learning to communicate effectively, act properly, and collaborate with others on the internet is a critical skill that all children should learn at a young age.
Although Scratch is not utilized in a professional programming setting, many children begin with it before moving on to more complex programming classes. Introducing your children to Scratch can be a helpful first step if and when they decide to move on to a different programming language in the future.
Why may learning to code be a beneficial career path for children?
Millions of businesses rely on programmers to construct their websites and program their technological items in today’s globe. Common home appliances such as mobile phones, dishwashers, and televisions would not function at all without programmers.
As a result, firms, regardless of industry, are constantly on the lookout for new programmers to assist them. Although programming is growing increasingly popular among students, it is still not a common professional path for many.
Furthermore, many programming occupations pay quite well, with proficient programmers frequently earning considerably above the national average. Finally, with hard study and dedication, students can learn valuable skills that will never become obsolete or be replaced by machines.
