Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Computer programming

20 replies

Picturesinthefirelight · 30/01/2014 15:20

Wasn't quite sure where to put this question

Dies anyone have a reccomendations if a guide to computer programming for 9 year ds. He wants to learn how to make simple video games like notch did when he was 8!

Dd has a raspberry Pi & uses python (she's 12) & I think they have come across scratch at school but its all a bit double Dutch to me

He's really enthusiastic about it.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
stoopstofolly · 30/01/2014 16:07

No info, but marking place as DD 8 is really keen to learn.,,,,

jomidmum · 30/01/2014 16:09

Code Academy website is really good.

AnswersToAnything · 30/01/2014 16:14

www.futurelearn.com/courses/begin-programming-2014

Free, online course staring at the end of February.

Oblomov · 30/01/2014 16:25

Looks fab. Will talk to dh about it for ds1(10).
Thanks a lot.

stoopstofolly · 30/01/2014 16:34

Thanks!

Erac · 30/01/2014 16:45

If he has a ipad Hopscotch is a great app that helps give a visual experience on the concepts of programming. It's a fun way for kids to start.

WingsontheWind · 30/01/2014 20:02

Kodu is another good one

spanieleyes · 30/01/2014 20:25

We have Scratch

midweekGandT · 30/01/2014 21:34

Recommended Book: Super Scratch Programming Adventure.

MrsMot · 30/01/2014 21:41

Get him to do the Hour of Code at code.org. Great introduction

mostlysinging · 30/01/2014 21:41

My son started on Scratch and is now using Kodu which both seem good.

There is project on Kickstarter called 'Hello Ruby' which is trying to get backing for a book for programming for children and on one of the updates there is a list of useful websites for children who want to code - it has some of the ones mentioned above as well as some more.

Hulababy · 30/01/2014 21:42

I would recommend Scratch - a very visual programming language aimed at this kind of age. I have taught it to Y2 children quite successfully. It is also free and no need to download - can be done online.

Lots of books available for it too, plus tutorials. There is also an app with tutorials too.

All children will (should) start coding, beginning with the basics in Y1, from September - as part of the new Computing NC curriculum.

Hulababy · 30/01/2014 21:44

and yes - Kodu, another visual one, freely available.
Logo - pre coding; Daisy the Dinosaur app is based on this

Coding Academy was recommended - though for staff and upper KS2 - on a course I went on today. Didn't get chance to look at it but tutors rated it.

Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 30/01/2014 22:52

I think we've decided to buy him a raspberry pi for his birthday but in the meantime will look at scratch.

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
Original poster
Picturesinthefirelight · 30/01/2014 22:53

His teacher at school says they've just put something on the espresso site they use.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 31/01/2014 09:38

You can run scratch on a pi too :)

overmydeadbody · 31/01/2014 09:41

I believe Raspberry Pis come with scratch already on them. At least, ours did.

As well as all the good suggestions here already, DS has also discovered a website called Roblocks where you can create your own games.

Hulababy · 31/01/2014 13:08

I had to upload everything into mine, came without anything at all on.

GreenerthanGrass · 31/01/2014 14:11

Ds (7) started on scratch and is now starting on python and using a pi. He does need quite a lot of help / guidance though. i'm going to try some of the apps too - they sounds great

gordonpym · 31/01/2014 21:47

Have a look also at the Khan Academy. I use Khan for math quite a lot, and I'll start the programming soon.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page