what about code?

[jaynay]

Great idea about the pedestrians!

And I love the idea about the program running through its own code. My daughter has just figured out the terms forwards and backwards (she goes backwards and forwards in her cosy coupe), so I think that the would be able to follow something like that on the screen. Left and right would be a bit harder. But if the arrow shows the direction, it should be ok.

I've been trying to find a suitable keyboard to purchase for her to use, without all of the Function/windows keys etc but haven't found anything just right as yet. I wonder if a game controller, or even a joystick could work for even more basic controls.

[mario]

The joystick is a good subject. When my son was about 9 months I let him play a game on PS3 twice. Then he lost interest. Although he understood quite well that the joystick would move the character, he was too young to plan the moves. Now I could try again.

I don't know if you are used to a ps3 but if compared to an iPad, it has a huge and unexplored potential when it comes to educational software for kids. LR for example would be perfect for PS3. I think Ps3 is expensive and not so popular. Its popularity  should have happened when the world was on crisis. Anyway, ps3 has still a great potential. I miss EL software for it.

[jaynay]

I've never thought to let my daughter try with a joystick. I'll have to see if I can find some sort of basic moving around game on either the pc or ps3. What game did you use?

We have a ps3 but havent used it in the past year or more.

[Mela Bala]

I've been looking at this program for when Cayden is a little older.  I just saw they are running a free trial now through March 29.  It is a video that is about 30 mins. I will probably see if Cayden will watch but if not I'm sure I can get him to listen to it a few times.  It's not dactyl about coding but I thought this would be a good place to post it.  Here is a brief description: This course is designed to quickly lead you through the steps of building an HTML website, from creating a new page to building links and tables. Course topics include the basic structure of an HTML document, choosing a code editor, font styling with CSS, inserting text and images, and linking to downloadable content.

http://www.lynda.com/HTML-tutorials/Up-Running-with-HTML/108128-2.html

[Mela Bala]

After a quick google search I came across The "invent with Python" Blog which has two books by Al Swelgart available for free PDF downloads - invent your own computer games with python and making games with python and pygame.  You can see the book reviews on amazon which are impressive. 

A brief description from the blog about the books:
Kids as young as 9 (or even younger) can learn programming, it doesn’t require math skills beyond basic arithmetic.
Making video games is the best way to learn programming and stay interested.
Python is one of the best programming languages to learn for a first language.
If your kid finds typing frustrating, then Scratch might be a better language to learn.
“Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python” is a free book that teaches programming to complete beginners in Python.
py2exe can help your kid share their programs with their friends.
When making your own games, computer version of board games or simple games of chance are a good starting point.
http://inventwithpython.com/blog/2010/09/27/i-want-to-teach-my-kid-how-to-program/

[mario]

Mela Bala,

Thank you for your contribution. I think those are great for kids on early years of school.

jayta,

The game was a trial I downloaded from US Playstation Store. It was a Sam & Max game. I liked that one for him because every button works, including the right joystick. It's a kind of RPG where you can move to every direction on a 3D plan. My son enjoyed making the character move, but anyway, he lost interest and also I was not sure if that was good for him. Now I remember that last month I tried to help him to interact with GT5. The problem now is that he finds the PS button very interesting, and so he keeps pressing this all the time.

We use our PS3 a lot as a DVD player and to watch Netflix.

[baz]

dynastycode.com

Give this a try! I think it can work for younger kids who can type on the keyboard. It's a step by step superheroey way to learn coding.

I am trying to convince the site founder (my brother) to make it even simpler for the younger learners.
Would you be interested?

[mario]

Yes baz, I'd be interested. My son is today too young to type on keyboard, so a tool for younger would be welcome.

[Kerileanne99]

We have a handful of programming and logic apps that we use. Here are some of them:

1. Move the Turtle- just as it sounds, and gets more complicated as you learn. I think two-year-old EL kids will pick this up very quickly...Alex was three before I found it as I love the other Apps from the designers.

2. LeapFrog now has a programming Robot app! It is called My Robot Friend and is really quite good. It says for ages 9+, but Alex has had no trouble. This one could easily be done at a very young age with a bit more parental help.

3. Cato's Hike- this is a new one for us, so we have only played with it a couple of times. So far we are enjoying it, and I really like that the graphics are more engaging for LOs.

[mario]

Well, for those following this thread, this page shows a lot of options of software that can be used for exactly what I wanted and described here:

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/how-why-teach-your-kids-code-6C10153222?lite=obnetwork

This was shared by Ashly on Facebook Group. Enjoy it!

[MarthaT]

Will have to look into this

[Tamsyn]

Update:  I like Go Animate a LOT more than Xtranormal, now that I've found it.  We got the 3-month subscription.  I can easily put my own pictures in for props and and backgrounds, and they let you mix characters from different themes, unlike Xtranormal.  Xtranormal does have better 3D animation, but that's a mute point to me- I want to make it mine with pictures.  If I can get past the learning curve, I'll be making some educational videos with this.

http://goanimate.com/

Here's a video my kids and I made today- they were so excited to pick out a character and provide voice for it!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/8DZz9REUI3g&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/8DZz9REUI3g&rel=1</a>

[MamaOfWill]

Aw, how beautiful Tamsyn!! This video is adorable!

[TeachingMyToddlers]

I  no personal experience with these, but came across this article today and it made me think of this thread.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-apps-teaching-children-coding-anna-adam?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-coding-apps-list

[TeachingMyToddlers]

Saw a Facebook ad for this 5 minutes ago and hubby bought it on the spot.    Looks like the best one I've seen so far.

https://www.play-i.com/

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uLDQDaPHy9E&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/uLDQDaPHy9E&rel=1</a>

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