Many parents have no idea that their children are learning computer science in school. The changes have been slow to come to parents’ attention and teachers may have been waiting too long to tell parents. A recent survey of 1,000 British parents found that 60% of parents were unaware that the new curriculum was coming. However, there are ways you can help your child learn computer science. Here are some tips to help your child get started.
Time management for kids to get a good computing education at school
The key to time management for kids is a solid system of prioritization. The “A” tasks should come first. After that, the “B” tasks should be the last thing to do, and they may not be a priority right now, but as the due date approaches, they’ll be moved up the list. The same goes for a child’s life. Managing time in school is all about learning to plan ahead.
To start, set a schedule. Include free time in the schedule. Allow time for play and exercise. If things go well, you may want to give your child more time for homework. When the time is up, encourage them to move onto the next task. Any deviation from the schedule is going to throw them off. It’s best to make this time a family affair rather than a task-focused one.
Kids aren’t always very good at managing their time, but if they practice time management tips, they’ll grow to be more effective at it. While younger kids aren’t able to read time markers, they do know that they shouldn’t be using social media to kill their time. They’ll likely spend too much time on social media and not enough time on learning. However, with the right guidance and practice, kids can master time management habits.
It is essential for kids to learn good time management skills, as it will enable them to focus on important projects and avoid the distraction of unproductive activities. It’s also important to help them break down big projects and decide on smaller milestones and due dates for each component. A student who doesn’t know how to prioritize their work will find it difficult to complete everything and be successful. By focusing on important tasks, kids will feel less overwhelmed and more accomplished.
A great way to help kids manage their time effectively is to assign small tasks. A small task that you can accomplish at the beginning of the day can make the evening a lot easier and will keep the nighttime hours free of distractions. Besides a computer, students should have a place to study and work, with the appropriate lighting, comfortable seating and minimal distractions. Effective time management requires a schedule. A schedule helps break large projects into smaller, goal-oriented tasks. Google Calendar and Evernote are great tools for tracking project deadlines.
Developmentally appropriate ways to use computers with 3- and 4-year-olds
The best way to introduce technology to your child is to let him or her explore a touch screen computer or traditional computer. Let them explore websites and search for answers, videotape dramatic play, or create their own games and activities using digital media. Teachers can incorporate assistive technologies into their lessons, such as a laptop computer or iPad. Children who have developmental delays or special needs can benefit from a computer.
To teach your child safe practices, set limits and recommend behaviors for computer use. Make sure the program is age-appropriate, including frequent breaks and avoiding eye strain. Also, make sure that the computer is set up in a way that is ergonomic for your child, and install an internet filter if your child needs it for school projects. Regardless of age, parents should help their children learn how to use computers properly.
Children are not ready for the computer until they understand the cause-and-effect relationship and how the computer works. Before they can use the computer, they should be able to navigate into and out of activities, hear instructions, and access easily-understand help screens. Preschoolers should also be encouraged to dictate stories rather than relying on clip art. And parents should stay with their children while they are using the computer.
While parents and educators may disagree on the use of technology, the National Association for the Education of Young Children recently reversed its stance and recommended using computers with preschoolers. The report, however, has many caveats and many parents disagree with its findings. One of these is that too much screen time can deprive a child of important developmental tasks. Further, too much time spent on computers can lead to bad learning habits.
Despite the fact that preschoolers can handle basic computer functions, they are still very young for more advanced programs. The best time to introduce computers to a preschooler is during the summer when there is no school. However, it is recommended that parents limit the amount of time their child spends on the computer. The child should also be guided by an adult. The computer should be used in limited ways to encourage interaction and encourage independence.
Support networks to help teachers
Support networks to help teachers help kids get s a good computing education at school are available at a variety of levels. Teachers should check out the Black Girls CODE website to learn how to code. CodeHS is a teaching platform that provides curriculum and teacher resources. CodeAcademy offers coding courses, professional development and more. There is also CS for All Teachers, a virtual community of practice for teachers interested in teaching computer science.
Getting your child interested in computer science
If you’re looking to get your child interested in computer science, there are several things you can do. First, there are open-source curriculums that can bring volunteer-based programs to schools. For example, CodeEd, a non-profit organization in New York City and Boston, teaches computer science to girls in grades six through 12. The founders understand the importance of nurturing an early interest in computer science.
One way to get your child interested in computer science is to introduce him or her to coding languages, such as Scratch. This is a programming language created by MIT. Children can begin by developing an automatic word search generator, or by writing a program to translate text into pig Latin. They can also get interested in computer science through robotic kits. There are many types of kits available, ranging from the easiest to the most advanced.
Breaking down electronics
Breaking down electronics can help your child become interested in computer science. A good resource to use for this is Scratch, a website where kids can create their own animations and games. These can be sent through interactive cards to other kids worldwide. Another resource is iCode, a website that offers computer science courses for children in the 5 to six age range. Children who are interested in computer science can even play coding games using household materials.
The CS10K community has a photo challenge for Computer Science Education Week. This is a great way to get your child interested in computer science while they’re still in elementary school. If your child gets a taste for it early enough, they’ll be more likely to be interested in it in middle and high school. So, how do you encourage your child to take up computer science?
Firstly, try to find a mentor or role model in the field. Children often identify with their heroes better when they see people they admire in their chosen field. Ideally, this mentor could be a family member, a teacher, or a technology professional. Girls who love technology can even become mentors for younger girls who are less experienced. A website called FabFems is an excellent resource to find local mentors for girls.