Scratch: Programming for Kids (8+)

Please note that this MOOC is archived. The MOOC is outdated, and not up-to-date with the current Scratch version

Programming becomes a more and more important skill to have. Childhood is a great time to start learning programming and to develop computational thinking, creativity, and problem- solving skills!

This MOOC teaches programming in Scratch through fun videos which explains programming in an inspiring and clear way. These are accompanied with assignments which let kids to practice programming and create programs they will like to use themselves! Further, this MOOC is self-paced, meaning you determine yourself when you watch the video lectures and you can work at your own pace.

Every week you build a different Scratch project yourself: a flappy bird game, a virtual pet or a Mondriaan like artwork. Also weekly, new programming blocks are taught and together we’re working on ways to improve your written code.

This course is an English version of a course that was used in primary schools in The Netherlands with great success. The material follows the educational curriculum for programming in primary education of The Netherlands.

Do you want to participate with more children? Such as your friends or maybe brother or sister? Create a personal account for each of them in order for them to work at their own pace. Once you fulfilled the entire course, a Scratch diploma with your names will be issued.

Week 1: your first project
Learn your first concepts such as “if-then” statements and a loop.

Week 2: movements & signals
Create your own animations.

Week 3: variables
Variables & go in-depth on the concepts of repetition.

Week 4: algorithms & copying in Scratch
Learn about one of the most important concepts in programming.

Week 5: (random) positioning
Randomly moving of sprites.

Week 6: clean code
Repetition of the earlier addressed concepts and some tips & tricks.