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ScratchJr V1.0
Course Overview
ScratchJr is a free block-based programming app jointly developed by MIT Media Lab and Tufts University for ages 5–7. It bridges the path to advanced tools such as Scratch (ages 8+). With visual color-coded blocks, no reading or keyboard skills are required—students program through touch and drag. Each lesson includes fun story scenarios that draw children in. Beyond programming joy, the course also develops math, language, and problem-solving skills.
Included Courses
Trial Lesson
Activity Course
Regular Course
Competency Goals
Computational Thinking
By dragging blocks, children understand sequential logic ("what comes first, what comes next"), begin to sense cause and effect and repetition, and naturally develop awareness of breaking big problems into small steps through play.
Self-Directed Learning
Curiosity about on-screen animation drives active experimentation—changing parameters and observing results. Story contexts motivate hands-on exploration without fear of mistakes, building initial confidence that "I can make it move."
Design Thinking
Children turn ideas (animal actions, game rules, story plots) into runnable animations or games with blocks, experiencing the full creative loop of "imagine → build → test → revise" and the joy of making.
Communication & Collaboration
Story sharing at the end of each lesson helps children explain what their program tells; in parent-child activities such as "Bunny Picks Mushrooms," they learn to participate in games together.
Course Advantages
Designed for Ages 4–6, Zero Experience Friendly
Precisely matched to early childhood development with intuitive block tools—no prior coding needed. From lesson one, children create and naturally enter the world of programming.
Spiral Progression, Steady Growth
Six units progress from single blocks → combinations → logical chains → independent creation. Confidence builds after each theme, supporting a smooth transition from imitation to innovation.
Cross-Disciplinary Integration, Knowledge and Character Together
Themes span animals, nature, health and sports, technology, and traditional culture—integrating science and life skills while fostering confidence, diligence, and willingness to try.
CSTA-Aligned, Measurable Outcomes
Grounded in U.S. CSTA K–1A standards—algorithmic thinking, sequence, loops, decomposition, and debugging—with documented outcomes and a solid base for advanced programming.
📋 Sample Lessons (Trial)
1
Lesson 1: Safety Guard
Free trial
2
Lesson 2: Clever Kitten
Free trial