This page is to gather resources that will help children to learn programming and thereby actively shaping their own future.
Programming For Children
Meetings and workshops
One of the best ways to learn programming is to join like-minded people. The following organisations provide programming classes for children:
Country |
Name of organisation |
Focus on Free Software |
Comment |
Germany |
yes |
They are an associated organisation of the FSFE |
|
Germany |
partly |
|
|
Switzerland |
partly |
|
|
Belgium |
partly |
|
|
Netherlands |
partly |
about 120 locations |
|
Netherlands |
partly |
Coding education in classroom on request, by volunteers |
|
... |
... |
yes/partly/no |
... |
Often local universities have STEM programs for children that include programming courses.
Online material
Python IDE Mu with special focus on beginners and children (EN)
"Programmieren mit der Maus" (DE). Matrial by the German educational television program for children "Die Sendung mit der Maus" (the show with the mouse)
Coding handouts Available in FR, EN, DE by "Fondation de coopération scientifique pour l'éducation à la scienc". Teaches the concepts of programming in a playful way on paper without writing code. Aimed at young children.
Wikibook about easy programming (DE). Collection of free materials for teaching.
Robot Karol (DE) - Robot Karol is a programming environment targeted for pupils to learn programming.
"Einstieg Informatik" (DE) - material by "Einstieg Informatik" a project by the office of the German Fedaral IT competition with support by the "Fakultätentags Informatik".
Codingkids (NL) varied material on programming for multiple ages and levels
Mediawijsheid - Leren programmeren (NL) page with links to materials and communities for learning how to code.
Scratch in de klas (NL) Dutch Scratch lessons material with option for weekly online lessons.
Books
In general we recommend you to buy books from local book stores, or different online book stores, to prevent further tightening monopolies. In case you are using some of the larger sellers, you might want to check out the information about support programs.
Language |
Author |
Title |
ISBN |
Focus on Free Software |
Comment |
Various |
Jason R. Briggs |
Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming |
978-1593274078 |
Most screenshots from Microsoft Windows? |
classic for learning programming for beginners. |
Various |
Linda Liukas |
Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding |
978-1250065001 |
GNU/Linux is mentioned in the book as operating system and it is explained how people work together in Free Software |
A story which explains children the basics of programming, logic, and other attributes necessary to understand software. Second part of the book has several practical exercises to spark interest in programming. |
Various |
Dan Aldred |
Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids |
9781593279462 |
- |
|
German |
Philip Kiefer |
Programmieren lernen mit der Maus: Der Start in die Programmierung mit Scratch |
978-3842107052 |
|
From the German television show "the mouse" |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
... |
Nostarch Press has a large selection of programming books for children in English although some of them depend on non-free software.
Recommended hardware
Calliope Mini ... tiny board, including coding environment and learning material developed in collaboration with German school book publishers. Approved for use in schools starting in 3rd grade.
Micro Bit ... same as above, developed in the UK
MiniMu Glove kit ... a kit for sewing and programming a digital music device
Dash and Dot ... robots for learning to program
Logo Boost ... combine lego bricks and coding
Tests about different robots to learn programming by the Vienna Education server (DE)
STEM kits and software/ apps with a coding focus
Makey Makey ... Invention kit for small people
Scratch ... coding environment for children
Squeak ... coding environment for children
Robo Maus ... write little programs to get the mouse to its cheese
Games connected to coding
Terminus ... a game in which you learn how to use the command line.
Board games related to coding
RoboRally ... a board game in which players "program" their robots