Coding & Computational Thinking for Kids
Block-based coding for children, built on the thing that has to come first: learning to break a problem down before you try to solve it.
- Duration
- Ask us
- Level
- Absolute beginner
- Timings
- Flexible — ask us
- Fee
- Contact us — 0309 0571403
Most children’s coding classes start with the code. This one does not.
It starts with computational thinking — breaking a problem apart, spotting a pattern, putting steps in the right order, giving instructions precisely enough that another person could follow them. That is the skill that transfers, and the blocks are easy once a child has it.
From there it goes into block-based coding, animations, games with scores, lives and collision detection, and for the older students a first look at Python. Everything ends in something the child can show you and explain.
What your child leaves with
Think first, then code
Not sure which track suits you? Call 0309 0571403 and we will tell you.
Roughly 30% concepts, 50% hands-on activity and 20% projects. The coding does not start until the child can already break a problem into steps.
10 modules01 Pre-digital creativity and motor skills2-3 weeks
Outcome: hand-eye coordination, creativity and confidence, before a computer is switched on.
- Free scribbling
- Controlled scribbling
- Lines, curves and circles
- Basic shapes
- Patterns
- Connecting dots
- Guided drawing
- Colouring within boundaries
- Drawing objects using simple shapes
- Following visual instructions
02 Computer and mouse skills2-3 weeks
Taught through mouse-control games, drag-and-drop activities, keyboard games and simple navigation.
- What is a computer?
- Basic computer parts
- Monitor, keyboard and mouse
- Turning a computer on and off
- Mouse movement
- Single click and double click
- Drag and drop
- Keyboard basics
- Basic typing
- Opening and closing applications
- Understanding icons
03 Digital drawing and creativity2-3 weeks
Mini projects: My Family, My Dream House, My Garden, My Space World.
- Drawing on a computer
- Digital lines and shapes
- Colours and patterns
- Digital colouring
- Using basic drawing tools
- Creating simple characters
- Copying, moving and resizing objects
- Creating simple digital scenes
04 Computational thinking3-4 weeks
The foundation of the whole course. Taught away from the screen first - Human Robot, maze challenges, step-by-step story games, pattern puzzles, sorting games, giving directions to a friend. Children learn to think like problem solvers before they write a line of anything.
- What is a problem?
- Breaking a problem into smaller steps
- Sequencing
- Patterns
- Sorting and grouping
- Matching
- Cause and effect
- Logical thinking
- Following instructions
- Giving clear instructions
- Finding mistakes
- Introduction to algorithms
05 Numbers, logic and addition2-3 weeks
- Number recognition
- Counting
- Number sequencing
- More and less
- Number patterns
- Missing numbers
- Basic addition
- Addition using objects and pictures
- Simple mathematical problems
- Counting steps and movements
- Logical number games
06 Introduction to coding3-4 weeks
Block-based coding, not typed code. Activities: make a character move, make a character dance, create a simple animation, make a character follow a path, create an interactive scene.
- What is coding?
- What is a program?
- Commands and instructions
- Sequence
- Characters and sprites
- Events
- Movement
- Directions
- Simple loops
- Simple conditions
- Debugging
07 Games and interactive stories3-4 weeks
Children start combining what they know into whole experiences. Creativity, problem solving and coding at the same time.
- Catch the Object
- Moving Character
- Simple Racing Game
- Underwater Animation
- Maze Game
- Balloon Pop Game
- Interactive Story
- Space Adventure
08 Debugging and problem solving2 weeks
The line the module is built on: a mistake in coding is a problem to solve, not a reason to give up.
- What is a bug?
- Why does a program not work?
- Finding incorrect commands
- Fixing sequences
- Testing a program
- Trying different solutions
- Learning from mistakes
- Improving a project
09 Digital citizenship and AI awareness2 weeks
Awareness level. This is not a technical AI course - that is what our AI Literacy course is for.
- Basic online safety
- Protecting personal information
- Safe use of websites
- Asking an adult before using unfamiliar websites
- Being respectful online
- Healthy screen habits
- What is AI?
- Where do we see AI?
- AI in games, apps, phones and devices
- What humans can do that computers cannot
- Understanding that AI can make mistakes
- Using technology responsibly
10 Final creative coding project2-3 weeks
Each child explains their idea, demonstrates the project, explains how it works, names one problem they solved, and presents it to classmates and parents.
- A simple game
- An interactive story
- An animation
- An interactive character
- A space adventure
- An addition game
- An educational project
Same foundations, taken further: variables, loops and conditions, a full game-development module, and for the older students a first look at Python.
11 modules01 Digital creativity and PC interaction2-3 weeks
Goal: be comfortable with a computer before any technical concept is introduced.
- Drawing and sketching on the PC
- Using mouse and keyboard confidently
- Drawing lines, shapes and patterns
- Digital colouring
- Basic use of drawing tools
- Saving, opening and organising simple files
- Creative digital activities
02 Basic computer skills2-3 weeks
- What is a computer?
- Hardware and software
- Keyboard and mouse
- Desktop, windows, icons and menus
- Files and folders
- Basic typing
- Opening and closing applications
- Internet basics
- Safe and responsible computer use
03 Computational thinking3-4 weeks
A major part of the course, not a warm-up. Activities: maze challenges, logic puzzles, pattern games, 'give instructions to a robot', and turning everyday problems into steps.
- What is computational thinking?
- Breaking a big problem into small parts
- Patterns and pattern recognition
- Sorting and classification
- Logical thinking
- Sequencing
- Step-by-step instructions
- Finding mistakes
- Problem-solving challenges
- Introduction to algorithms
04 Introduction to coding3-4 weeks
Worked in Scratch. Mini projects: animated character, interactive story, simple greeting program, moving character challenge.
- What is coding?
- What is a program?
- Commands and instructions
- Sequences
- Events
- Sprites and backgrounds
- Movement
- Coordinates
- Simple animations
- Creating interactive stories
05 Coding concepts4 weeks
For the younger students these stay visual and activity-based rather than leaning on terminology.
- Variables
- Input and output
- Conditions - if and else
- Loops
- Operators
- Events
- Messages
- Functions and custom blocks
- Debugging
- Understanding errors
06 Game development3-4 weeks
Projects: maze game, catching game, quiz game, simple platform game.
- Game planning
- Character design
- Game rules
- Movement
- Score system
- Lives
- Levels
- Collision detection
- Sound and animation
- Testing and debugging
07 Maths and coding2-3 weeks
The module that connects school mathematics to computational thinking, so neither looks like a separate subject.
- Numbers in programming
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
- Comparisons
- Coordinates
- Patterns
- Shapes and angles
- Simple mathematical logic
- Using maths to build games and animations
08 Creative problem solving2-3 weeks
Introduces the loop students then use for everything: think, build, test, improve.
- Identify a problem
- Break it into smaller problems
- Think of different solutions
- Choose the best solution
- Build a solution
- Test it
- Find mistakes
- Improve the solution
09 Introduction to text-based coding
For students of roughly 11 to 15, once block coding is comfortable. Projects: calculator, number guessing game, quiz program, simple text-based game. Eight to ten year-olds do more Scratch projects instead.
- What is text-based programming?
- Introduction to Python
- Variables
- Data types
- Input and output
- Operators
- Conditions
- Loops
- Functions
- Simple problem-solving programs
10 Final project3-4 weeks
Built independently with guidance, and presented in order: problem, idea, planning, coding, testing, finished project.
- Educational game
- Quiz game
- Interactive story
- Animation
- Calculator
- Simple Python game
- Problem-solving application
11 Digital citizenship and cyber safety
Run as a recurring class through the course rather than a single lesson at the end.
- Online safety
- Strong passwords
- Personal information
- Safe browsing
- Cyberbullying awareness
- Responsible use of technology
- Basic privacy awareness
- Using AI and online tools responsibly
Ask about the next coding batch
We will tell you the fee, the timings and when the next batch starts — and which of the two groups to put your child in.