A
dvances in technology
along with affordable ac-
cess to smart internet-
connected devices are the
driving force behind a
revolution across the globe.
Some academics refer to
this as the start of the fourth
industrial revolution or the
second machine age. The
digital revolution is disrupt-
ing financial systems (cryp-
tocurrency), manufacturing
systems (3D printing), en-
tertainment (Netflix), and
basically every aspect of
modern living.
— by Mike Daugherty
There are also over 40 challenges for
learners to complete once they’ve gotten
through the basics. Kids can share their
creations with the larger
Hopscotch community so
their peers can enjoy what
they’ve made. The app is
free, and it doesn’t ever
show ads to its users. Hop-
scotch has been recognized
by several parenting orga-
nizations for its creativity,
ease of use, and educational
value. HopScotch is best for
children ages 7-13. Also
try: Box Island, LightBox.
Creating Confidence
Through Coding
The employment out-
look must adjust to keep
pace with our ever-chang-
ing, technology-rich world.
Research suggests that be-
tween 25-40% of existing
jobs today will be automat-
ed by the mid-2030s. Those
jobs that involve highly
repetitive tasks have the
most significant risk of being replaced
by automated processed. Positions of
the future, the jobs school-age children
of today will be seeking, will require
employees to be collaborative, critical-
thinking problem solvers.
As a parent, how can you help pre-
pare your children for jobs and careers in
fields that have yet to be invented? Com-
puter programming or the more generic
term, coding, is a fantastic place to start.
Understanding how to write code in-
volves creativity, critical thinking, visual
design, and problem-solving, many of
the skills needed to be successful in the
future. The best part is that learning to
code is surprisingly fun. Most sites and
apps take a gaming approach to learning
that keeps kids engaged. Getting started
is incredibly easy even if you or your
child have no experience whatsoever.
Sites like the ones below take a
block approach to programming. Con-
cepts are broken down into small chunks
that are easy to digest. It allows children
to learn individual ideas first, then en-
courages students to solve problems by
making connections between singular
skills. I have listed the sites below start-
56 WNY Family March 2019
RAISING DIGITAL KIDS
Scratch &
Scratch Jr.
https://scratch.mit.edu/
ing with the youngest learner and mov-
ing up through high school.
CodeSpark
https://codespark.com/
Learning can be quite a bit of
fun with the Foos characters from
CodeSpark. This is a kid-friendly way
to learn coding lessons. Students learn
concepts through three different games
that are similar to games they might play
at home. Kids put the blocks of code in
the correct order to complete a task such
as grabbing a coin or dodging a bad guy.
The “pick up and play” element of the
game makes it more powerful and ap-
pealing to younger learners. CodeSpark
is a great introductory site for students
ages 5-8. Parents can visit the website
or download the app on a smartphone or
tablet. Also try: Kodable.
HopScotch
https://www.gethopscotch.com/
In this iPhone/iPad only app, stu-
dents learn how to create their own vari-
ations of popular games such as Flappy
Bird or Geometry Dash. Similar to
CodeSpark, Hopscotch is block based. It
does a fantastic job explaining concepts.
Scratch was designed
by students at MIT in 2003
as a tool for anyone who
wants to learn to code.
The university continues
to update and maintain the
application 16 years later.
Similar to the options above, Scratch
uses block coding that allows students
to snap pieces of code together like a
puzzle. The previously mentioned sites
keep students locked into predetermined
lesson and limits. Scratch is different. It
allows kids to expand their knowledge
by removing those limits.This dynamic
programming language enables kids
to create just about anything they like.
Kids will find the site is filled with ex-
amples from other creators. There’s also
an active online community of Scratch
programmers when they need answers
or inspiration. Scratch is suitable for
children ages 8 to 16. Younger coders
should check out Scratch Jr. Scratch Jr.
uses a similar model but focuses on stu-
dents ages 5-7.
Hour of Code
https://hourofcode.com/
Hour of Code is easily my favor-
ite site on this list. Created in 2014, the
Hour of Code “is a global movement
introducing students worldwide to com-
puter science, inspiring kids to learn
more, breaking stereotypes, and leaving
them feeling empowered.”