*this is a collaborative post with Three UK, we were kindly asked to try a class and review it*
As a parent, I am always on the look out for creative activities that my kids can do, that they will enjoy. If those activities are educational then that’s even better.
So when Three UK kindly asked us if the kids would like to attend one of their Discovery courses and learn some coding we were very excited. Both my kids have learned some coding at school and have played around a little bit with learning how to use code, but an opportunity to spend a morning doing some more, and expanding their knowledge was too good to pass up.
I personally find the whole process of coding and using code to create programs and making things work fascinating and I definitely don’t know as much as my kids do, but I am aware of the importance of coding and think it’s a great skill to have a basic grip of and our children will learn to use it in the digital world in a way that I probably will never master. Coding is something is part of most of the technology we use today, and the more we learn about it the better we are to understand how it works and how to use it.
They had a great time and learned a lot, and using the Hopscotch programme they created a game, where they designed and added characters and rules.
A little show and tell to explain how they created characters and actions within their game and looking well pleased with their creation. I was very impressed.
Mum had a go at the game, apparently I need more practice!!
Coding is such a useful skill to learn, and opens up all sorts of possibilities for getting creative, using computers and sites. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their time and came away excited and wanting to learn more. They have been using the Hopscotch app at home and have been showing me how to add to a simple game and edit with code.
The teaching was just at the right level and both kids said they felt very comfortable and confident as they learned and the staff were very helpful and encouraging. They are very keen to go back and do some more courses and learn more, and apparently next time I have to go with them and learn some too. Maybe this old dog can be taught some new tricks?
We would definitely recommend the course with Three, it’s worth checking them out, it’s a great learning time for kids, and they come away feeling good about gaining some skills, having had some fun and showing off what they have come up with too. Thumbs up all round.