The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries. The idea is simple: give students one hour to try out coding through engaging and easy-to-follow tutorials. The beauty of the Hour of Code is that it requires no prior experience in coding, either from the students or their teachers. The activities are self-guided and use games and characters that children love, such as Minecraft, Star Wars, and Frozen. In today’s digital age, understanding the basics of coding is becoming just as important as learning to read or write.
For elementary students, these tutorials are specifically designed to be approachable. They start with basic concepts like sequence, loops, and conditionals, using fun, visual platforms that don’t overwhelm young learners. Instead, they feel like they’re playing a game, all while absorbing the fundamental concepts of coding. Starting young ensures that students see technology as a tool for creation rather than consumption. It builds confidence and an early interest in subjects like math and science, which are often tied to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers. Our kindergarteners used our Code and Go Mouse and the OSMO to practice their coding in STEM this week.
