Coding for Kids - Scratch Programming for Beginners from Udemy

Hi, my name is Shervin House. I am a top rated Udemy instructor, and I this course I will be teaching how to code using MIT's wonderful programming tool, Scratch.

Scratch is an easy to use programming software with user-friendly UI, as well as drag & drop capabilities. The ease of use of this tool makes it the best way for kids and/or beginners to learn the fundamentals of coding while making fun and exciting games or projects.

Devashish Kalambe: "Wow. Very Amazing. "

In this course, we learn how to code by doing. We go from project to project, and learn how we can use various important concepts such as loops, conditions, object oriented programming, and broadcasting in order to achieve the effects that we desire for our program. The projects we make are designed to be fun and entertaining in order to engage kids, so that they pay maximum attention to the concepts we intend to learn together.

Mbxbd7: "Awesome course"

The projects we program together in this course include guess the number, paint, racing car, asteroid shooter, and lifeguard, which is a fun game that uses your webcam motion detection so you can play by moving your hands in real life. All this and more are the sorts of fun and exciting programs we will make together, while learning all of these important fundamentals that every future programmer needs to learn and fully conceptualize.

What you can expect from this course:

Comprehensive tutorials, we walk through every step of the process thoroughly and extreme care to detail, in order to maximize the learning opportunity for children
Fun but insightful projects. It is very important for us that the children taking the course enjoy the process, as that will keep them engaged and eager to learn; that said, it is just as important to maximize learning within these fun projects too, as it is most fruitful to learn while doing
All questions answered within 24 hours; if you or your children ever have any questions about any of the topics, you have a direct line to us to ask and get feedback on your question within a day
And of course... 30 day money back guarantee. So you have nothing to lose by signing up and trying out the course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Scratch Programming

Introduction

Set Up your Account

Movement

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses Scratch, a visual programming language with drag-and-drop capabilities, making it easier for young learners to grasp fundamental coding concepts

Employs a project-based learning approach, which can be highly engaging for kids as they learn by creating fun games and interactive projects

Covers fundamental programming concepts like loops, conditions, object-oriented programming, and broadcasting, providing a solid foundation for future coding endeavors

Includes projects like 'Lifeguard' that use webcam motion detection, offering a unique and interactive learning experience that blends the digital and physical worlds

Requires importing video sensing for the 'Lifeguard' project, which may require additional setup or troubleshooting for some users

Features projects that require downloadable files, which may pose a challenge for learners with limited internet access or technical skills

Reviews summary

Scratch programming for young learners

According to learners, this course offers a fantastic introduction to coding for kids and beginners using Scratch. Students appreciate the clear, step-by-step explanations and the engaging, project-based approach, particularly enjoying the creation of various games. The course is frequently described as easy to follow and effective for building foundational programming concepts in a fun way. While focused on beginners, the hands-on game development keeps young minds interested and learning. The instructor is noted for providing responsive support, enhancing the learning experience.

Instructor helps when needed.

"Any questions I had were answered quickly and helpfully by the instructor."

"It was reassuring to know I could get help within a day."

"Instructor support was great; it really helped when I got stuck on a project."

Concepts taught simply and clearly.

"The instructor explained everything very clearly, making it easy to follow along."

"Each step was broken down well, which is great for absolute beginners."

"I found the explanations simple and easy to grasp, even for complex ideas like broadcasting."

"The tutorials were comprehensive and easy to understand."

Learn by building fun games.

"The projects are really fun and helped me understand the concepts by actually doing."

"Creating games like the racing car and asteroid shooter made learning very exciting."

"I loved the hands-on aspect of building projects step-by-step."

"My kids stayed engaged because they were making real games."

Ideal first coding course for kids.

"It's a great course for kids to start learning programming."

"This course is a great introduction for beginners to coding."

"Perfect for getting started with Scratch programming and learning the basics."

"My child enjoyed this course and learned the fundamentals of coding easily."

Occasional issues with downloads.

"Had a little trouble downloading some of the project files initially."

"Some files were a bit tricky to find, but I figured it out."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Coding for Kids - Scratch Programming for Beginners with these activities:

Review Basic Math Concepts

Show steps

Reinforce fundamental math skills to better understand the logic and calculations involved in game development within Scratch.

Show steps

Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems.
Review concepts like variables and coordinate systems.
Solve simple word problems involving numbers and logic.

Review 'Super Scratch Programming Adventure!' by The LEAD Project

Show steps

Supplement the course with a visually engaging book that reinforces Scratch concepts through a comic book format.

View Super Scratch Programming Adventure! (Scratch 3) on Amazon

Show steps

Browse the book and identify chapters that cover topics you want to reinforce.
Read through the selected chapters and follow the examples.
Try modifying the examples to create your own variations.

Review 'Coding Games in Scratch' by Jon Woodcock

Show steps

Expand knowledge of Scratch programming through a project-based book that reinforces concepts taught in the course.

View Coding Games in Scratch: A Step-by-Step Visual... on Amazon

Show steps

Read through the book's introduction and overview of Scratch.
Choose a project from the book and follow the instructions to build it.
Experiment with modifying the code to add your own features.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice Scratch Challenges on Edabit

Show steps

Reinforce coding skills by completing Scratch-related challenges on a platform like Edabit.

Show steps

Create an account on Edabit.
Search for Scratch challenges.
Complete at least three challenges, focusing on different concepts.

Create a Scratch Tutorial Video

Show steps

Solidify understanding by teaching a specific Scratch concept to others through a video tutorial.

Show steps

Choose a Scratch concept to explain, such as loops or variables.
Write a script and prepare examples to demonstrate the concept.
Record the video, explaining the concept clearly and concisely.
Edit the video and upload it to a platform like YouTube.

Design a Simple Platformer Game

Show steps

Apply learned concepts by creating a platformer game, reinforcing understanding of movement, collision detection, and game logic.

Show steps

Plan the game's design, including levels and characters.
Implement character movement and jumping mechanics.
Add obstacles and enemies to challenge the player.
Incorporate scoring and win/lose conditions.

Contribute to a Scratch Project on GitHub

Show steps

Deepen understanding and collaborate with others by contributing to an open-source Scratch project.

Show steps

Find a Scratch project on GitHub that you're interested in.
Fork the repository and clone it to your local machine.
Make changes or add new features to the project.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Coding for Kids - Scratch Programming for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Technology Teacher

A Technology Teacher introduces students to the world of computers and technology. They often teach introductory programming concepts, basic computer skills, and digital literacy. This course, which focuses on teaching children to code using Scratch, directly aligns with the skills needed to effectively teach introductory programming to young students. The course emphasizes hands-on learning through fun projects, which is a great way to engage young students. The teacher will benefit from the course's focus on Scratch. Technology Teachers should especially appreciate the projects in this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Teacher

STEM Educator

A STEM Educator teaches science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. This course directly aligns with the skills and knowledge needed to teach introductory computer science concepts to students. The STEM educator understands the value of using tools like Scratch to make programming accessible to children and foster their interest in STEM fields. The STEM educator will also benefit from the course's emphasis on project-based learning, which is an effective way to engage students and help them learn by doing. The many modules are a rich source of inspiration.

See salaries and explore the career path for STEM Educator

Educational Game Designer

An Educational Game Designer creates video games or other interactive experiences with the primary goal of teaching a specific concept or skill. This course provides a foundation for Educational Game Designers looking to create engaging and educational games for children. The course uses Scratch, a visual programming language that is well-suited for creating simple games and interactive stories. A game designer should pay close attention to the course's game projects, such as racing car, asteroid shooter, and lifeguard, to learn how foundational programming concepts translate into interactive games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Game Designer

Video Game Designer

A Video Game Designer creates the concepts, characters, story, and gameplay for video games. This course helps Video Game Designers understand the basic concepts and techniques involved in game development. The course's focus on Scratch, a visual programming language, makes it easy to create prototypes and experiment with different gameplay mechanics. A Video Game Designer will find the course's various game projects like, Racing Car, Asteroid Project, and Snake, particularly helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Designer

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates learning experiences and materials, often for online courses or training programs. This course may be useful for Instructional Designers who are developing courses or modules on introductory programming. The course's focus on project-based learning and its use of Scratch as a visual programming language may be useful in creating engaging and effective learning materials for students. The instructional designer will especially benefit from the comprehensive tutorials, walking students through the process with extreme care to detail. This level of detail will help the instructional designer consider aspects of designing their own course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Curriculum Developer

A Curriculum Developer designs and creates educational materials, including lesson plans, activities, and assessments. They may specialize in a particular subject area or grade level. This course may be useful for Curriculum Developers who are creating computer science curricula for elementary or middle school students. The course focuses on teaching programming through project-based learning, which aligns with modern educational best practices. The modules in this course, such as animating a name, creating a paint program, and building games, are excellent examples, providing a starting point for a broader CS curriculum.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer designs, builds, and programs robots. While this course does not directly focus on robotics, it provides a foundation in programming concepts that are essential for Robotics Engineers. The course's focus on loops, conditions, and object-oriented programming may be helpful in designing and implementing robot control systems. The Robotics Engineer will develop a sense of how to make robotics programming more approachable to learners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Computer Science Professor

A Computer Science Professor teaches computer science courses at the college or university level. This course provides a foundation in teaching introductory programming concepts to students, so it may not be directly applicable to the work of a Computer Science Professor. However, the course can be helpful for Computer Science Professors who are interested in developing outreach programs for younger students or who are looking for new ways to engage their students in introductory programming courses. They will be able to connect better with their students, especially those new to programming themselves.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Professor

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. While this course focuses on introductory programming concepts using Scratch, it may be useful for Software Engineers who are looking to broaden their understanding of programming fundamentals or who are interested in game development. The course provides a gentle introduction to programming concepts such as loops, conditions, and object-oriented programming. In particular, the project-based learning approach is an excellent way to solidify their knowledge of key concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and tests software applications. While this role typically requires proficiency in multiple programming languages, understanding fundamental programming concepts is essential. This course may be useful for Software Developers who are looking to broaden their understanding of programming fundamentals or who are interested in game development. The course provides a gentle introduction to programming concepts such as loops, conditions, and object-oriented programming. In particular, the project-based learning approach is an excellent way to learn how to apply these concepts to real-world problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

AI Developer

An AI Developer creates artificial intelligence systems and applications. While this course does not directly focus on artificial intelligence, it provides a foundation in programming concepts that are essential for AI Developers. The course provides an understanding of concepts such as algorithms and decision-making. An AI Developer may find the course helpful in understanding the fundamentals of how AI systems are built. An AI developer new to teaching can use this as a reference.

See salaries and explore the career path for AI Developer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist analyzes large datasets to identify trends and insights. While this course does not directly focus on data science, it provides a foundation in programming concepts that are essential for Data Scientists. The course teaches logical thinking and problem-solving skills. A data scientist may find the course helpful in understanding how to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps. This course provides a fun way to stay in touch with the fundamentals of programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Mobile App Developer

A Mobile App Developer designs and builds applications for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. While Scratch is not typically used for developing full-fledged mobile apps, this course can help Mobile App Developers to understand the fundamentals of game development and user interface design. Scratch can be used to rapidly prototype ideas and test out gameplay mechanics before implementing them in a more complex development environment. A mobile app developer should especially appreciate the app design processes used in the paint and racing car projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile App Developer

Automation Engineer

An Automation Engineer designs and implements automated systems and processes. They may use programming to control machinery or robots. They will benefit from the increased comfort with programming that may come from this course. While this course does not directly focus on automation, it provides a foundation in programming concepts that may be useful for Automation Engineers. The course teaches logical thinking and problem-solving skills. The automation Engineer may benefit from the course's focus on loops, conditions, and object-oriented programming, which are essential for programming automated systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Website Developer

A Website Developer builds and maintains websites. Website developers use a variety of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This course can help Website Developers understand the fundamentals of programming logic and problem-solving. The course may be useful for building interactive elements into websites, such as games or animations. A website developer can also find the course useful because of its introduction to fundamental programming concepts. This course is also a fun way to begin thinking like a programmer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Website Developer

Coding for Kids - Scratch Programming for Beginners

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Scratch programming for young learners

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses