Introducing your children to programming and new technologies without a screen is possible!
A first step in programming
Programming is not generally perceived by people as something nice or easy to talk about, and this is often what stops parents and others outside the IT world from taking an interest in it. And yet, today it is clearly more fun and simple to become familiar with the code with a whole range of fun games designed to familiarise children in a positive and active way with these skills which have become essential for understanding the world of tomorrow.
It is now possible to discover digital programming and culture in a playful way with screen-free activities.
In 2015, the United Nations presented the « Global Goals for Sustainable Development 2030 ». Advance education, protect environment, reduce inequality and improve health are among the 17 goals set to ensure a more sustainable world. In 2030, our world will have radically changed and our children will have grown up to be the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, it is important that the next generation learn how to use and create new technologies to ensure a better and more sustainable future. Children need to understand and to know that they can bring a positive impact and help reach those goals.
One of Digital Kidz’s mission is to ensure that children are introduced to new technologies so that they can innovate, create and have a positive impact on tomorrow’s world. Digital Kidz is committed to bring computer science inclusive, accessible, equitable and fun to children.
The logic behind programming is essential today to understand tomorrow’s issues, and to make a place for oneself in society. It is therefore important to introduce children to certain logic so that they can benefit as much as possible from this new knowledge.
Children learn most easily from the age of 3 and it is obvious that at this age screens are not recommended. The screen may be introduced later and gradually as the child grows up, but the good news is that there are more and more games, books and activities available to introduce our youngest children to this digital culture and logic in a simple and fun way.
Today, thanks to the development of a variety of methods, it is possible to learn the procedures and concepts of programming in a different way than with a screen, without depriving our children of the initiation to digital concepts.
Digital Kidz proposes to introduce you to some games, books and activities that will enable you to easily and sometimes autonomously introduce the youngest children to new technologies without bringing them too quickly to the screens. The idea here is to propose some extremely well done tool tracks to introduce children to digital notions without screens or midway between screens and manipulation.
Through these games, universes and activities, children will be able to familiarize themselves with some of the main principles of computer science by discovering a few notions of programming, algorithms and binary language. They will be able to develop their logical mind by solving simple problems.
Whether it is as with the Cubetto robot to learn the basics of programming without a screen, or discovering around extremely well-designed books that indirectly familiarize the child with technological vocabulary, or using a tool including the real and virtual world by manipulating cards or simply using their own drawings, children will be able to discover digital culture. To find out more about the importance of learning programming or the indispensable skills of the 21st century, including the term computational thinking, we also invite you to consult the pages of our site dedicated to these subjects.
What is computational thinking?
Activity list without screen or straddling between manipulation and screen
Blue-Bot 4-12years old
Blue-Bot is a small robot designed by TTS Company for children from kindergarten to primary school.
« Je découvre le code dans l’esprit montessori » 3-6 years old
Mtiny-Makeblock 4-8 years old
Cubetto Robot 3-6 years old
Cubetto Robot is a robot designed for children from 3 to 6 years old, to help them learn programming without screens.
Book Hello Ruby 5-10 years old
Jolly The Ambitious Horse years old
Jolly The Ambitious Horse, an original way of approaching programming through a great story.
Candli 8-18 years old
Candli is an application for creating games that combine traditional design with visual programming in an original and unique way.
Osmo Play 6-14 years old
Osmo Awbie is using tangible plastic blocks of code representing the commands of a programming system
Digital Kidz Activities to learn programming concept without screen 4-7 years old
Digital Kidz suggests a few activities to teach children some concepts of programming without screen.