Playing with blocks has been around for centuries. From classrooms to doctors’ offices, this age-old toy remains one of the most important tools for children to use in order to develop critical thinking skills. While most people are scrambling to turn everything digital, Hands-On Coding has reversed the role and has allowed for a digital idea to be created physically.
Hands-On Coding allows the student to physically move and act out programs created with Coding Blocks. Computer Science has many areas, algorithms, functions, conditions and more. These concepts are often unfamiliar, abstract, and confusing to students. Coding Blocks help children develop the ability and confidence, in an intimidating subject, to fundamentally learn computer programming at a very early age. A big part of coding is developing an Algorithm, which is a list of steps to follow to complete a task. In this case, the “run” part of the program is a physical person.
Hands-On Coding turns the human into a computer and teaches children not just how to solve problems, but also how to express themselves. Kids learn by doing, which is why Coding Blocks are a perfect tool to learn the basics of computer coding in a fun and engaging way. They are useful for hands-on, small group activities; and for letting students explore and develop reasoning and problem-solving skills. Set includes 12 coding blocks and instructions. For ages 5+.
Here are four reasons why Hands-On Coding and Coding Manipulatives help children learn Computer Science:
1. Coding Manipulatives help make abstract ideas concrete. Coding blocks (manipulatives) give students ways to construct physical models of abstract coding ideas.
2. Coding Manipulatives turn a Digital World into a Physical One. Students physically move and act out programs created with Hands-On Coding Blocks. It is a fun and engaging way to learn the basics of computer coding.
3. Coding Manipulatives Build Students' Confidence. Hands On Coding build students’ confidence by giving them a way to test and confirm their reasoning. If students have physical evidence of how their thinking works, their understanding is more robust.
4. Coding Manipulatives Make Learning Computer Science Fun. Give students interesting shaped blocks to solve a problem and they are immediately engaged. Coding manipulatives intrigue and motivate while helping students learn.