Curious Critters: Telling Stories Together with Code, [Ages5-6] @ Online
Event Information
About this Event
For preschoolers new to the world of code, learn basic computational thinking to tell your favourite stories creatively through Scratch Jr!
KEEPIN’ IT SHORT & SNAPPY
- For preschoolers with no coding experience: Recommended starting course for kids ages 5-6!
- Online camp of 45 minute bite-sized classes x 5 days
- Kids collaborate, co-operate and get creative online in their first taste of coding through story-telling with Scratch Jr
"My kids had a blast & came home armed with knowledge & information which they were excited to share with us." - Joanne, Parent
An online introductory course aimed to inspire preschoolers to think and express themselves creatively through tech.
All you need to know
In this 5-day (45 minutes/day) introductory course to programming for preschoolers, we will be going on a journey with a very hungry caterpillar to explore basic concepts in programming!
Through bite sized daily lessons (45 minutes each) designed to match preschoolers' attention span and interests, kids will co-operate and collaborate with their classmates to narrate Eric Carle's classic storybook - The Very Hungry Caterpillar - through code, using Scratch Junior!
Without the hassle of programming on their individual devices, kids will be collaborating to provide instructions to their instructor who’ll be acting as their hands and legs!
By the end of this short course, preschoolers will learn not just about curious critters like caterpillars, but discover how to apply code to create animations and tell stories of their choosing.
This 5-day class will be held online via Zoom; a set of printed worksheets will be needed and students will need access to an iPad or Laptop with webcam, microphone and wi-fi capabilities. While active parent participation is not encouraged, parent supervision is recommended for tech trouble-shooting purposes.
Your child will require:
- A working mic and webcam, in order to participate in the class and for our instructor to check their understanding.
- Internet speed of 25Mbps or above. You can check your internet speed here: https://www.speedcheck.org/sg
- Familiarity with basic computer functions, such as: typing on a keyboard, using a mouse, switching between desktop apps and navigating a browser (opening a new tab, entering URLs).
- For students age 5-6, and 7-10, we also recommend that you have an adult member of your household standing by for the first 45 mins of Lesson 1 to assist with any technical difficulties that may arise.
- A printer to print out accompanying worksheets (black and white is fine)
- Scissors and glue. **Note for parents: if you feel your child is not able to use scissors and glue independently, please be available to assist. Activities involving scissors and glue will take place during Lessons 2, 3 and 5.
OH! THE STUFF YOU'LL LEARN!
- Pick up the basics of computational thinking
- Learn the fundamentals of programming through Scratch Jr
- Discover how programming concepts can be applied beyond computers
LIFE SKILLS LEARNT
- Logical Thinking
- Problem Solving
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Pedagogy
No lectures. No memorisation. No ONE right answer. Like real life, we're all about trying things out, failing, figuring what went wrong & trying again. These are the skills & mindset that will last a lifetime. Let's get kids to learn how to learn.
Because the kids who learn to learn become curious, inventive, resourceful human beings who solve real world problems to make meaningful impact.
Parents love us
"...and for the first time he is not running to play other people's creations but his own... I am absolutely delighted in the 'mindset' change in my son's attitude." - Emma, Parent
"Thank you for a wonderful and exciting enrichment program that is so much more than academics.. it's fun but for me as a mum, an important future skill set for my son." - Rachel, Parent
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Got more questions on this course of awesomeness? Read our FAQ section below!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. My child is new to computers and programming. Will he/she be able to follow?
This course is targeted at kids ages 5-6 without any prior programming experience. Our objective is to introduce them to the computers and coding in an enjoyable, creative, and accessible way, and we’ve designed our curriculum for kids to have fun and get inspired while they learn, leaving them hungry to learn even more!
2. My child has done some Scratch programming at school/elsewhere. Should he/she still attend this course?
This is an introductory course for kids with no programming background. We will be focusing on the basics of Scratch Jr, and we encourage kids who have already learned Scratch Jr to explore our other courses for preschoolers: Curious Cubs and Tiny Techies.
3. My child is younger than 5 years old. Can he/she join?
Unfortunately we are not able to accommodate students younger than 5.
4. What will my child need for the class?
Classes will be conducted via Zoom conferencing. Your child will need an iPad or a laptop/desktop computer with webcam/video conferencing and their microphone enabled. We will be using password-secured classrooms which will be locked once the class has begun. Please note that kids will not be programming on their own devices, but will instead be collaborating and co-operating to providing instructions to their instructor who will be their arms and legs, coding on a separate device.
5. Is parent participation required and/or encouraged in this course?
Active participation is neither required nor encouraged; however we do recommend that a parent be present to supervise their child in terms of tech trouble-shooting where necessary.