Computer Science for Elementary Students

• Helping your child learn to use technology responsibly is an important part of early education.

• Online safety such as protecting personal information, discussing cyberbullying, and being wary of strangers are important to teach children of all ages.

• Critical thinking, problem solving skills, and creativity are all honed while creating fun and engaging coded games.

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In today’s world, technology plays a large role in just about every aspect of life. From careers and education to communication and entertainment, technology is the basis of almost everything. That is why it is so important to teach elementary students basic computer science skills. This includes how to correctly and responsibly use technology, how to create their own technology, and how to stay safe while using technology. These skills will not only promote critical thinking and creativity but will help prepare them for today’s digital world.

Using Technology Responsibly

In this digital world, even young children know how to use technology. By the time my son was two he knew how to do things on my phone that even I didn’t know how to do. That is why it is important to teach your child how to properly use technology.  

Every household has a different take on technology. However, I think everyone can agree that they do not want their child stuck to a screen 24/7. In my house, we have a designated ‘technology free’ block of time every day. This ensures that my children do not rely on screens for their only entertainment. No matter what your take is on screen-time, and what rules you choose to implement for your children, make sure that you set clear expectations and model responsible behavior.

Another topic to cover when talking about technology is online etiquette. It is important to teach our kids to be kind and respectful of others even online. This is also a good time to go over the fact that anything that they post online is there forever. They cannot take anything back.

While teaching your children boundaries and online etiquette, also take the time to teach them tech-related skills like typing. There are many different ways to teach typing to elementary aged students. ABCya has typing games such as Cup Stacking Typing and Typing Rocket that offer an engaging and entertaining way to teach typing. There are also videos and online lessons such as those from typing.com.

 Online Safety

Online safety is a big concern for everyone. It is more important than ever to teach children how to be safe and protect their personal information online. There are things that you can do to help protect your child. One such thing is to utilize parental controls on all devices that they use. Another way is to be vigilant while your child is online and establish open communication about what they are watching or playing. Good communication is key here. Set clear and specific boundaries about what they can watch/play. Let them know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns that they have.

Here are some additional topics to touch upon.

• Explain what personal information is – name, address, birthdate, phone number, school that you attend, etc. – and explain that these should never be shared online.
• Discuss the repercussions of sharing information online like identity theft, scamming, and cyberbullying.
• How to create strong passwords and to not share those passwords with others.
• Be cautious about strangers online, they could be anyone. Remind children to never give away information that could identify themselves or where they live, like what park they like to go to or what shopping center they shop at. Also tell them to never agree to meet a stranger.

 Coding and Programming

The basis of any computer science class is to teach basic coding and programming skills. As technology continues to advance, basic knowledge of computer science is crucial for navigating the digital world. Computer science encourages kids to think critically about problems and develop solutions through coding.

To do this, you can take advantage of platforms like Scratch, ScratchJr, and Code.org. These resources offer a visual drag-and-drop coding environment easy for young children to learn. Many websites like Code.org and Amazon Future Engineer offer both resources and curricula. This helps encourage growth and keeps children engaged.

If you would like to do some offline, or unplugged, activities, try games where your child must follow (or set for themselves) a strict set of instructions. This shows them how to make clear and precise instructions like those needed for programming.

If your child is interested, or may be interested in robotics, you can introduce this concept with simple child-friendly robotics kits. These allow students to program movements, actions, and/or flashing lights usually through Bluetooth with a phone or tablet. These kits, ranging widely in concept and cost, are simple to put together and hook up and allow your child to practice programming in a fun, engaging way.

For older kids or those looking for more of a challenge, you can organize coding challenges or competitions. These can be between your children, or you can get other homeschooling families involved. This will motivate students to learn more in-depth coding skills as well as encourage collaboration. Have programming, game development, or robotics competitions and challenges and then have the students show off their creations in front of everyone.

 Resources and Tools

• Scratch: Scratch

• ScratchJr: ScratchJr

• Code.org: Code.org

• Amazon Future Engineer: AFE Elementary

• CodaKid: CodaKid 

• CS Unplugged: CS Unplugged

• CodeMonkey: CodeMonkey

• CodeWizardsHQ: CodeWizardsHQ

For more information on these resources and more, check out this blog by website planet.

A computer science class will not only help your child keep up in today’s digital world but will possibly provide them with a life-long love of programming. This could lead to fun summer projects, teen freelancing, or even an adult career choice. Keep in mind that all students learn at their own pace. Encourage your child to ask questions, acknowledge their growth, and celebrate their accomplishments.

Has your child taken a computer science course online? If so, share your experience with the community in the comments below.