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Опубликовано: August 22, 2023 в 7:37 am

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Top 10 Free Coding Programs for Kids

In today’s world of rapidly developing technology, programming is no longer a science for the elite. It has become a vital skill for everyone to learn, adults and kids alike. 

Teaching children basic programming, especially from a young age, opens up an entire world of opportunities for them to thrive and succeed.  Learning how to code engages kids’ minds in critical thinking and prepares them for an increasingly tech-driven world. At Coder Kids, we believe all kids should have this opportunity, so we’ve partnered with schools to provide courses that teach kids how to code in fun and practical ways.

Why Should Kids Learn Coding?

It’s not just about the growing demand for programmers worldwide. The benefits of coding knowledge affect the very personality and mental state of children. Some of these advantages include:

  • Boosting creativity – coding demands repeated experimentation. The process of trial and error encourages children to use creativity.

  • Better math skills – coding mainly involves visualizing abstract concepts that can be applied to mathematical problem-solving. This, in turn, helps kids improve their math skills and use them in real-life situations.

  • Builds confidence in problem-solving – since coding often involves making mistakes until you can get it right, children will learn that there’s always more than one way to complete any task.

  • Enhances academic writing performance – coding supports planning and organizing skills,. Kids will be able to put their thoughts in order and can improve their writing skills.

Top 10 Free Coding Programs and Websites for Kids

Let’s get started! If you are looking for more support and instruction in your child’s coding journey, checkout our blogpost, “The Best Summer Coding Camps for Kids.” You can also find a list of our Top 10 Free Coding Apps for Kids here.

1- Coder Kids

Coder Kids is a great company that offers online, in-person and on-demand coding classes and camps for kids of all ages. Their free on-demand class, Introduction to Scratch Coding, is the perfect way for kids to begin their coding journey!

They offer a free on-demand class called Introduction to Scratch Coding. In the class, Coder Kids will walk kids through setting up their Scratch account and learn the basics of Scratch. They’ll also learn how to express themselves on Scratch in fun and sometimes silly ways.

Once students are familiar with the basics and the Scratch interface, then the kids will move on to start learning how to code. This course goes over the basics of Scratch coding in a fun way so that kids will have a solid foundation. To finish it off, they’ll get to complete the Pokemon in Space project!

Coder Kids offers other on-demand classes at a reasonable price, as well as online and in-person private tutoring lessons. Check out all of there camps and classes here.

2- Code.org – Learn to Code

Currently one of the most popular websites that provides free coding classes for children is Code.org. 

This platform is known for its intuitive search engine that enables you to search for relevant courses from all over the world. It also offers comprehensive online tutorials, averaging at 15 to 20 hours.

Code.org adopts interactive teaching methods, such as maze games, to engage kids in the material at hand. It also presents a number of exclusive videos featuring individuals of high caliber including Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

Once you log in, you can find courses on building websites and games. The content includes the basics of programming as well as classes on coding actual apps and websites using various programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Code.org also offers Hour-of-code lessons that are particularly useful for kids looking for a quick class. They can learn to program Minecraft animals and Star Wars droids, or code their own adventure with Frozen characters.

Code.org is suitable for kids aged 4 years and older, with lessons arranged according to grade so that children can choose levels that aren’t too easy or too complicated for them.

3- ScratchJr.org and Scratch

ScratchJr and Scratch are widely popular platforms used mainly by children. This website was developed by MIT students, aimed at kids from 6 to 16 years old.

It features one of the easiest user interface designs, adopting visual code blocks that are very simple to follow. Instead of actually typing code, you can drag and drop blocks of code to program different stories and games. Kids can create all types of different projects on Scratch and ScratchJr.

You can find descriptions of the blocks on the website, along with an interface guide and a guide for paint editor to help produce graphics.

Scratchjr doesn’t only offer coding lessons for children, but also curriculum, activities, and assessment exercises for teachers to apply in class.

It has a huge community with more than 15 million registered members who also happen to be incredibly active. It’s available for anyone to join, as long as they respect the rules and engage in friendly communication with other users.

Besides their web version, you can download the Scratchjr app on your iOS, Android, or Kindle device. There’s also a handy Scratchjr extension that you can add to your Google Chrome browser for quick access.

4- Codecombat.com

Combining the world of text-based coding and RPG gaming, Code Combat offers a highly immersive learning experience via a fun game that’s accessible through any browser.

The idea here is to give your character the correct set of commands to complete missions by solving an assortment of mazes, puzzles, and other tasks.

The free version of Code Combat provides an in-depth introduction to computer coding science. It consists of 39 levels, teaching kids basic syntax, parameters, strings, arguments, loops, and variables.

After that, you can move onto more advanced modules, such as web development and game development, by gaining access to their paid version.

Code Combat applies actual coding syntax using a text editor, allowing kids to get familiar with languages such as HTML, CDS, JavaScript, and Python.

5- LightBot

If you’re looking for a fun but simple approach to get your kids into coding while being as flexible as possible, then LightBot might just be what you need.

It’s an app-based experience that works for seemingly all ages thanks to its interactive and enjoyable concept. It was designed by actual coders who know what aspects of coding are suitable for every age group to learn.

LightBot is basically a puzzle game that requires coding knowledge to advance, which further promotes the problem-solving skills of children. The beauty of this engaging logic game is that you can forget it’s meant as an educational platform.

LightBot offers a range of lessons that includes sequencing, procedures, overloading, conditionals, and recursive loops. It’s available to download from Google Play Store, the App Store, and Amazon Apps.

You can get free content through its demo version, and when you’re ready, you can upgrade to unlock the full materials for a couple of bucks. Check out our LIghtbot Cheats here.

6- Khanacademy.com

Khan Academy is one of the highest praised free coding websites for kids. It’s an extremely popular choice when it comes to e-learning thanks to its extensive library of subjects that allow users to search and learn just about anything for free! 

Khan Academy provides lessons on a wide range of topics from maths, chemistry, and biology, all the way to history, finance, and engineering. 

Fortunately, the platform recently added coding and programming courses for kids aged 12 and older to its menu, becoming a reliable resource for such education on a global scale.

Khan Academy provides computer science courses discussing the basics of programming, which includes internet 101, algorithms, cryptography, information, and theory. 

Its coding lessons also cover HTML/CSS for building websites, HTML/JS for creating interactive web pages, SQL for managing data and querying, as well as JavaScript for animation, games, drawing, and natural simulation.

Khan Academy offers its materials in a laid back yet entertaining way to make sure that kids remain hooked while watching the videos. It’s also accessible to anyone in the world, without even requiring an account to log in. 

To learn about more online coding classes for kids, click here.

7- Codemonkey.com

Another excellent platform that offers free coding lessons for kids is Code Monkey. 

Besides having a fun name, this web-based service adopts the idea of teaching coding to children through the interactive environment of online gaming.

The general objective of Code Monkey is to have the user help a monkey obtain bananas. To make this happen, the user has to work through a series of tasks and challenges to correctly code the monkey towards the bananas.

By the time the players complete the game, they should possess the skills needed to get into game development and start making their own.

Code Monkey uses a text-based editor that enables players to code and build games using CoffeeScript. This language also makes it easier for children to learn JavaScript later on when they become more invested in the world of coding.

The Code Monkey website offers 250 free challenges to cover the basics and test the waters. After that, you can upgrade to the paid version to unlock all 400 challenges.

8- Crunchzilla.com – Code Monster

Crunchzilla is one of the simplest teaching platforms when it comes to boosting your kids’ knowledge of coding. It delivers information in an engaging manner that’s perfect for educating young minds.

Once you open Crunchzilla, you’ll need to pick one of its 4 levels of coding lessons to proceed. These levels are: Code Monster for preteens (or younger under supervision), Code Maven for teens and adults, Game Maven for ages 16+, and Data Maven which is statistics for ages 12+.

Obviously, we’ll be focusing on Code Monster since it’s directed towards younger kids, but it’s good to know there are higher levels to move on to after completing each stage.

Basically, Code Monster provides interactive coding practice using JavaScript. The layout consists of a friendly monster graphic with a chat bubble that displays questions and step by step guides.

Below, there are 2 boxes, one for text-based coding and the other shows the results of input codes. Of course, you’ll have to type in the right code so you can advance to the next level.

The fact that you can instantly see what your code creates, makes it easy for this website to grab the attention of young students.

9- Blockly.games

Looking for a fun and interactive way to get your kid started with coding? Then you may want to consider Blockly. 

This is a super entertaining platform that integrates coding into gaming to produce a programming experience that’s both engaging and beneficial.

Blocky offers a variety of games adopting the approach of teaching kids how to code using interactive challenges. These games include puzzles, mazes, birds, music, movies, and more. The idea is to get the kids to type in or drag-and-drop code blocks in order to solve a puzzle, create a story, or hit targets.

Children will be able to see the results of their coding text on the spot, which helps them fully realize and visualize what they can build.

10- Stencyl.com

Last but not least, Stencyl is a fantastic gateway for beginners to get into coding. It’s inspired by Scratch, so it pretty much applies the same code blocking system.

Kids will learn to code through creating games, which they can then publish on most platforms such as iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, HTML5, Linux, and Flash.

Stencyl also offers the option of typing code to allow your kids to further practice their skills. Additionally, the website has a curriculum for teachers to use in classrooms.

Besides the free version of Stencyl that supports web publishing, there are paid pro plans for publishing to other platforms if your kid is serious about it.

There you have it! Our Top 10 free coding programs for kids!

While all the options mentioned above are excellent pathways to get involved in the world of coding on their own, it can be a good idea to use more than one program at the same time to avoid creating a routine. You can find our favorite coding sites for kids here.  It can also be a good idea to incoporate Coder Kids After School Programs, Summer Camps or Private Lessons to help your young coder continue to grow!

Inluding several ways to learn can help kids stay focused and improve their skills. For a list of The Best Coding Resources for Kids, click here. There are also several offline ways you can teach kids how to code. Variety in activites, classes, camps and self-directed learning provides children with the opporutnities they need to explore the world of coding!

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Ready To Learn | CPB

 support the millions of children lacking the basic early learning skills to succeed in school, the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready To Learn Television grant has funded, for the past two decades, the development of educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families, especially those who live in low-income communities. Under this federal grant, CPB and PBS KIDS work with producers, researchers, local public media stations, and other partners to develop, distribute and evaluate PBS KIDS multiplatform content – including television programs, video, interactive games, mobile apps and hands-on activities – to engage children, families, and educators in learning experiences at home, in preschool, and in out-of-school settings.

In this grant cycle, CPB and PBS are working with early learning experts to create experiences that expose young children to career and workforce options and help them to build vital functional literacy, critical thinking, collaboration, and “world of work” skills and knowledge. This effort will also empower and equip parents, caregivers, and communities to support children’s learning and growth in these areas to put children on a path to lifetime success. This grant is funding three new multi-platform television series and connected digital experiences, four new short-form video series, two new podcasts for children and families, and digital and real-world hybrid learning experiences that support intergenerational and family learning at home, in virtual spaces, and in the community. Local PBS stations will work with diverse community partners as part of a network of Learning Neighborhoods devoted to supporting the early learning needs of children in low-income communities, and the Education Development Center (EDC) will lead a research effort to assess the success of the five-year initiative.

Media, Learning Resources and Engagement

Work It Out Wombats! An animated series for children ages 3-6 from GBH Kids and Pipeline Studios features marsupial siblings who demonstrate a way of thinking that uses practices, processes, and ideas at the core of computer science.

Learn More

 

 

  • 2020-2025 Ready To Learn Initiative Project Update (February 2022)
  • 2020-2025 Ready To Learn Initiative Project Update (February 2023)

2015-2020: Content, Community and Collaboration: Advancing Children’s Learning Through Personalized Media Experiences

In this grant cycle, CPB and PBS worked with experts in early learning to create science and literacy-based television series, videos, games, mobile apps, and engagement resources. The grant funded new content for PBS KIDS series such as The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! and Ready Jet Go! along with a new science version of the PBS KIDS for Parents Play & Learn app and innovative short form videos from The Ruff Ruffman Show. PBS KIDS also launched two Ready To Learn series: Molly of Denali, focused on informational text literacy, and Elinor Wonders Why, focused on scientific inquiry. CPB and PBS leveraged this content by developing personalized and adaptive learning experiences for children and supports for parents, caregivers and educators.  Local PBS stations and community partners around the country used this content and related resources in the neighborhoods that need them most. Independent evaluations of the project’s major media properties demonstrated that children learn the targeted knowledge and skills from the presented content. Recent data from the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn Initiative indicates that 15 million children watch RTL-funded science television content, and 19 million children use STEM games and mobile apps. The Ready To Learn Initiative: Improving Children’s Science and Literacy Learning Through the Power of Public Media summarizes the accomplishments of the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn Initiative (2015-2020). Further information and links to content and research reports can be found on PBS LearningMedia.

Media, Learning Resources and Engagement

The 2015-2020 Ready To Learn grant supports the development of two new multiplatform series:

Molly of Denali, produced by WGBH Boston with animation collaborators at Atomic Cartoons for PBS KIDS, centers on Alaska Native Molly Mabray, a feisty and resourceful 10-year-old who brings viewers along for adventures in America’s 49th state. With a curriculum grounded in informational text, Molly of Denali also emphasizes family and intergenerational relationships and Alaska Native values. Ready To Learn is funding 38 half-hour episodes, a one-hour special, a digital app, online games, and hands-on resources for children ages 4-8, families, and educators.

Elinor Wonders Why, created by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson and produced in partnership with Pipeline Studios, will launch on PBS KIDS in September 2020. Elinor, the most observant and curious bunny rabbit in Animal Town, will introduce children ages 3-5 to science, nature and community through the adventures with her friends. Ready To Learn is funding 40 half-hour episodes, digital games, and hands-on resources for kids, families, and educators.

The 2015-2020 grant also supports new episodes, games, and resources for existing properties and familiar characters on PBS KIDS:

  • Ready Jet Go! Ready To Learn funded 40 new episodes (including the one-hour special,“Back to Bortron 7), two digital apps (Jet’s Bot Builder and Space Scouts), and two engagement resources (PBS KIDS Family & Community Learning and Space Scouts Camp). Produced by Wind Dancer Films, the property introduces children ages 4-8 to new adventures of Jet Propulsion and his group of friends, who explore the solar system to learn about Earth and space science, and engineering and technology.  
  • The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! Ready To Learn funded 40 new episodes, The Cat in the Hat Builds That! app, and a PBS KIDS Family & Community Learning series. Produced by Portfolio Entertainment, the property models early science and engineering concepts and practices for children ages 3-5.
  • The Ruff Ruffman Show. Ready To Learn supported the launch of an online series with corresponding online games, the Photo Stuff with Ruff app, and two engagement resources (PBS KIDS Family & Community Learning and Sensational Science Camp). Produced by WGBH, these YouTube-inspired short form videos introduce children ages 4-8 to core science concepts and the science inquiry process.
  • PBS KIDS for Parents Play and Learn Science App. Ready To Learn funded the newest version of the Play and Learn app (featuring 15 engaging games covering core topics in Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science) and a PBS KIDS Family & Community Learning series to encourage families to explore science together.

 Additional content and resources, including professional development tools and out-of-school learning materials, can be found on PBS LearningMedia.

Outcomes That Matter

EDC and SRI International continue to show positive gains not only for children, but also for their families and educators, and public media station communities.

  • The efficacy of digital media resources in improving children’s ability to use informational text: An evaluation of Molly of Denali from PBS KIDS (2021, EDC & SRI). Access to the Molly of Denali resources improved children’s ability to use informational text to solve real-world problems (Summary Report).
  • Strategies for Success in Community partnerships: Case Studies of Community Collaboratives for Early learning and Media (2020, EDC & SRI). A cross-case analysis of six case studies of Community Collaboratives for Early Learning and Media places case study findings in the context of overall evaluation findings. (Executive Summary). 
  • Early Learning & Engineering: The Impact of The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! on Learning (2019, EDC & SRI). Preschool children living in low-income households learned critical science and engineering concepts and practices from The Cat in the Hat media.
  • Community Collaboratives for Early Learning & Media: A National Picture of CC-ELM Results, 2017-2018 (2019, EDC & SRI).  Nearly all parents who participated in Community Collaborative programs feel more confident about helping their children learn science and want to spend more time each week helping their children learn at home.
  • Ready To Learn Research: What Parents Talk About When They Talk About Learning: A National Survey About Young Children and Science (2018, EDC & SRI). Nearly all parents want to be involved in their children’s education, but most are less likely to feel confident teaching their young children science than reading, writing or math. (Executive Summary and Infographic).
  • Ready To Learn Research: PBS KIDS ScratchJr Family Creative Learning Workshop Implementation Study (2017, EDC & SRI). The workshop boosted parents and children’s interest in and learning of technology and coding (Report Highlights).

2010-2015: Expanded Learning Through Transmedia Content

Between 2010-2015, CPB and PBS collaborated with numerous partners to produce, evaluate, and disseminate a collection of evidence-based educational media and learning resources to advance the math and literacy skills of young children, particularly those in low-income communities.

Media, Learning Resources and Engagement

  • A Preschool Math Property, PEG + CAT – Peg and Cat use math and problem-solving skills to save the day.  In 2015, PEG + CAT reached 11 million children on television and 12 million users digitally.
  • An Elementary Math Property, ODD SQUAD – Young agents are presented with a unique math problem that they must solve together through teamwork, critical thinking, and related math skills and practices.  In 2015, ODD SQUAD reached 10 million children on television and 20 million users digitally.
  • Transmedia Game Collections and Apps – These integrated collections of interactive content and games feature over 135 new games and mobile apps  based on characters and storylines from popular PBS KIDS series such as Curious George, The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That, Cyberchase, Dinosaur Train,Martha Speaks, Sid the Science Kid, Super WHY!, and others.  
  • The Electric Company Immersive World – The project developed a web and mobile-enabled immersive world called Prankster Planet to extend the math and literacy impact of The Electric Company. A wide range of resources, both in-school and out-of-school, were also created to support summer learning, bilingual education, and more.
  • Technology Innovations to Empower Parents and Educators – The project built and tested Measure Up!, a cutting-edge learning analytics platform that captures data from children’s real-time gameplay to help parents chart their child’s progress and receive recommendations for ways to further support their children’s learning.
  • Learning Resources and Community Engagement – Through collaboration with local public media stations and their partners, CPB and PBS scaled the usage of RTL content and tools across the country with parents, caregivers, and teachers who work with target audience children.   Tools featured PBS KIDS Lab, the PBS KIDS Play and Learn app, RTL’s Mobile Learning Program, Teaching Tips modules and videos, as well as PBS KIDS Afterschool and Summer Adventures. and more.

Performance Measures that Matter

RTL math and literacy content is rigorously tested and evaluated at every phase of development and implementation by experts to assess its impact on children’s learning.  More than 100 research and evaluation studies completed since 2005 show that this content engages children and enhances their early learning skills, and that children can make significant academic gains when taught through a combination of media. 

Recent studies by EDC, SRI International, and WestEd continue to show positive gains not only for children, but also for their families and educators.

  • Supporting Parent-Child Experiences with PEG+CAT Early Math Concepts (EDC & SRI, 2015). This randomized RTL study found that children who used media content from PBS KIDS’ series PEG + CAT showed improvement in critical math areas involving ordinal numbers, spatial relationships, and 3-D shapes. Parents and caregivers also showed greater comfort and confidence in supporting their children with math concepts and problem-solving strategies.
  • ODD SQUAD: Learning Math with PBS KIDS Transmedia Content at School and Home (2015, WestEd): Use of ODD SQUAD resources was shown to improve elementary-age students’ mathematics learning. 
  • Learning with PBS KIDS: A Study of Family Engagement and Early Mathematics Achievement, (2015, WestEd) PBS KIDS resources, coupled with family engagement, can help narrow the math achievement gap for children from low-income families and better prepare them for kindergarten.
  • PEG + CAT Content Study (2014, ED/SRI): PEG + CAT  resources were shown to  improve children’s learning and engagement  and were viewed favorably by parents.
  • PBS KIDS Mathematics Transmedia Suites in Preschool Families and Communities (2013, WestEd): Children’s math scores improved and parents increased their support of children’s math learning while using Ready To Learn content.
  • Preschool Teachers Can Use a PBS KIDS Transmedia Curriculum Supplement to Support Young Children’s Mathematics Learning (2013, Pasnik & Llorente): Results of a randomized controlled trial indicate that Ready To Learn content improved children’s understanding of early math, and increased educator content knowledge.
  • Evaluation of The Electric Company Summer Learning Program (2011, WestEd): Students made significant gains in math, vocabulary, numeracy and phonics skills.

Learn More

  • CPB-PBS Ready To Learn Initiative 2010-2015 – Project Update (3. 39MB)
  • CPB-PBS Ready To Learn 2010-2015: It All Adds Up! – Final Report (21.8MB)

2005-2010: Improving and Measuring Children’s Literacy

  • Ready To Learn Grant Awards 2005-2010

  • Findings from Ready To Learn 2005-2010

 
US Department of Education Disclaimer

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. The project is funded by a Ready To Learn grant (PR/AWARD No. U295A150003, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Programming for kids: 10 learning apps

To teach a child the basics of programming, he must be not only understandable, but also interested. We’ve rounded up 10 fun game apps for kids of all ages.

  1. Preschool programming
  2. Programming for schoolchildren

Programming for preschoolers

Box Island

The most intuitive mobile game in which you have to roam the island, overcome obstacles and collect stars. Teaching kids the basics of programming through sequences and loops is a great start. Box Island develops logical thinking, pattern recognition and memory.

Russian language supported.

Download Box Island

ScratchJr

Scratch is known as the best introductory programming language and ScratchJr is adapted for kids ages 5+. With it, you can animate characters, create your own games and scenarios. Develops not only algorithmic, but also creative thinking.

Almost the entire application consists of pictures, so the language of the interface does not matter.

Download ScratchJr

If you’ve outgrown Scratch but also want to learn how to code in a fun way, here are 20 free online coding games.

Lightbot

Another mobile application in which the child will have to control the robot, direct it and turn on the light at the right points. Each new stage of the game is more difficult than the previous one, there are more and more repeating commands, as a result of which peculiar cycles appear.

Russian language can be selected.

Download Lightbot

PiktoMir

But teaching children programming is not limited to foreign applications. PictoMir from Russian developers is very similar to Lightbot, but instead of turning on the light, you need to paint over the squares passed by the robot.

Default in Russian, but you can also switch to English.

Play PictoWorld online

SpriteBox

The game is somewhat reminiscent of the good old Mario, but with a brighter picture and puzzle quests that introduce children to sequences, loops and basic programming operations.

All assignments in English.

Download SpriteBox

Programming for schoolchildren

Scratch

There is also a visual programming language Scratch – for children aged 10 and older. The program differs from ScratchJr in a more advanced graphics editor and project editor. So, Scratch teaches children not only how to write programs, but also the basics of design.

The Russian interface language is supported.

Create your first Scratch 9 project0003

Minecraft

Minecraft programming is the best solution for today’s kids. Not only can a child be interested in such a popular game, but in it you can still complete tasks within the 3D world. In addition to the presence of puzzles, Minecraft also develops the imagination and allows you to build relationships of cause and effect.

Note In Minecraft, you can create unique scenarios and tasks for your child.

In the settings, you can select the Russian language.

Buy Minecraft

Kodu Game Lab

Programming for kids who are interested in game development should start with this app. Kodu is Microsoft’s visual programming game. With it, the child will not only learn programming and design, but also create a real 3D game that can be played on PC or Xbox.

English only.

Download Kodu

Tynker

This is not a game, but a whole platform with learning applications for different languages. The most popular games for kids are learning JavaScript, Python, HTML and CSS. In total, Tynker has about 2,000 games, including topics on augmented reality and robotics.

English.

Tynker website

Codecombat

Another platform for kids to learn programming. The courses and games collected here were developed with the support of teachers. The platform allows you to learn syntax and write code in compliance with best practices. The following programming languages ​​are supported: JavaScript, Python, Java, CoffeeScript and Lua.

There is support for the Russian language.

Start programming with Codecombat

Also keep a short Python development guide for kids.

Advertising on Tproger: we will find developers of the right stack and level for you.

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25 apps for activities with preschoolers (and trends in their development)

Before school, you can send your child to preparatory courses, or you can download several applications and sign him up for educational content on YouTube. Our blogger, teacher and mother, Ksenia Mayorova, spoke with Olga Dynyak, the founder of one of the most popular educational services for preschoolers, who told us what makes us happy and how applications are developing.

Gadgets and the Internet have penetrated into all areas of our lives and brought unexpected and useful solutions, including in the preschool sphere. 49% of parents use free and paid digital resources for additional education of preschoolers. According to forecasts, by 2021 the audience of parents who are willing to pay for such classes will more than double.

The reasons why parents choose additional online education can be different. More than three million children in Russia do not attend kindergartens at all, live in villages and cities with undeveloped infrastructure, often get sick, sometimes parents travel a lot or work in different parts of the Earth (thanks to the global economy), and someone simply does not have enough money for mugs .

As a marketer and mother of two, I actively explore, test and use various online services and applications. Recently, I see the following educational trends in the preschool segment:

1. Deep study of methodology and content

games and content. Younger players impress with a very deep methodical, visual and auditory elaboration of training materials, sometimes developing in a narrower segment.

  • LogicLike is a beautiful and methodically well-designed Russian service for developing logic and solving logic problems.
  • Chevostik is an interesting, amazingly beautifully visualized interactive online encyclopedia for children with lessons and tests.
  • Skazbuka is a resource created with the participation of the Institute of Developmental Physiology and independent specialists for effective teaching of mathematics, reading, and the development of different styles of thinking. Visualized in detail and professionally voiced.
  • Readings is a beautiful, watercolor-painted (MyPlayHome style) travel app for iOS with a thoughtful way of learning letters and reading.

2. The interest of language services in preschoolers

I am pleased with the large number of applications and services for learning English, because its importance for a future child cannot be overestimated. Whether a child speaks fluently will depend on the range of opportunities that open up to him: whether he will have access to the latest scientific research from around the world, go on free (or paid to a student) internships in different countries, work in international companies and communicate freely with people from different countries. You make this choice.

Among the online services for learning English with a teacher, I noticed a decrease in the age threshold for starting classes, now it is four years. Skyeng Kids, Allright, Bilingval are some of the services that offer such services.

3. Speech therapy and special assistance

Parents of special children are open to new things like no one else, they are ready for any experiments, if only it helps. Raising a non-verbal four-year-old, I know this situation firsthand. Some foreign programs already have scientific evidence of their effectiveness (and rebuttals by meta-analysis, but the very fact that there are enough studies impresses me very much) and allow parents from all over the world to help children on their difficult path. For example, IQsha provides free access to educational programs for special children (with ASD and Down syndrome).

  • Mercibo is an online speech therapy service that recognizes sounds. A speech pathologist, a specialist with 20 years of experience, uses the service in his work and assigns Roma and me classes in it every day, and also strictly checks whether we were engaged or not.
  • Fast ForWord is an English-language program based on the neuroplasticity of the brain, used to stimulate speech recognition and understanding. The application is recommended for alalia, autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more. The principle of the program is to amplify some sounds that children do not pick up in speech, gradually reducing such amplification for training.
  • Cool Little Kids is an online course for 3-6 year olds and their parents from the Australian Emotional Health Association that uses the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce shyness and its negative manifestations in a child.
  • AR Tutor – Augmented reality training for basic daily living skills for children with autism.
  • Smiling Mind and OMG. I Can Meditate! – meditation apps with programs for children of different ages, including collective ones, for working in the classroom.

4. Video is our everything!

48% of children under 12 watch YouTube videos every day (Children’s Media Consumption, MOMRI, 2017). You still won’t be able to fight it, it’s better to make the service your friend — install the YouTube Kids app or subscribe your child to informative, educational and extremely popular channels for children.

  • “Meet Bob” is an animation project where interesting educational facts are revealed using the example of a hero named Bob with a bit of humor.
  • Teremok school is a channel where all educational cartoons from Teremok TV are selected.
  • It’s OK to Be Smart is an English-language educational channel where charismatic host Joe Hanson explains how the universe works.
  • Pocoyo is a channel with educational videos for preschool children in which the cheerful animated baby Pocoyo explores the world around him and learns new skills in the company of friends. This channel is available in both Russian and other languages.
  • “Galileo” is a channel of a familiar transmission. Here you can find all the videos of the scientific, entertainment and educational program “Galileo”.

5. The advent of online hobby services

It surprises even me, but now preschoolers can do music, art and other exciting activities online. I look forward to the emergence of online sports services for children. Although what am I talking about? For children’s yoga, there is already the Wuf Shanti Yoga Fun Machine app.

  • “Artist Online” – online drawing courses for adults and children. The service combines courses, master classes and personal communication with a teacher. The catalog of courses includes the basics of drawing for children from five to nine years old, a course in watercolor sketching (sketching), oil painting, illustrations and so on.
  • SkillBerry – online drawing and needlework lessons for children from three to ten years old. All videos are recorded by professional teachers.
  • Creativity.ru is a school of creativity that provides online courses in drawing in various techniques, layout, art, crocheting and wool felting.
  • Coddy School is a programming school for children from three to eighteen years old. They offer online courses on programming, development and cybersecurity.
  • “My Dream” is an online school of music. Skype lessons are offered. Practice: vocals, piano, synthesizer, guitar, violin, cello, trumpet and others. Theory: musical notation, solfeggio, harmony, instrumentation, arrangement, development of musical ear and much more. For children, there are courses in the basics of music from zero to three, as well as a preparatory program from four to seven years.

6. The success of mixed online-offline projects

I am very pleased with such products because they complement, enrich real life and increase the value of using a software solution through an offline component, creating a deep user experience. I believe that the future lies with such services, because the consumer society definitely wants to turn something in their hands.

  • KidArKit – sets for the study of history, medicine, botany, combining real objects and cards with augmented reality and cartoons.
  • Ubego is an application with excursion quests. Everything is combined here: games, entertainment, fresh air, solving riddles and using a smartphone. Quests are available in various cities of Russia.
  • Osmo is a set of seven different apps for learning games in English. They teach abstract concepts in practice in real life. The young genius kit includes an application, an iPad stand, a creative board, a tangram and other elements of Osmo games.
  • Devar is an educational and entertainment content platform from Tula. Live coloring pages with augmented reality. For an interactive game, just download the application to your phone and “activate” the coloring book.
  • KiwiCo is a delivery service for developing science and art projects for children and adults. Unusual and interesting crafts that develop various skills and help to have fun and useful time. There is online support, video tutorials and usage ideas.
  • LEGO is a world-famous construction set actively developing applications for different sets, allowing the child to complement and deepen the interaction with the product.

As an active user of children’s educational innovations, I observe with interest the transformation of the preschool sphere, rejoice at the opportunities that open up, but I want to note that in order to organize a quality process and a good result, direct immersion and participation of an adult in these activities is still required. No matter how busy and lazy adults want to transfer learning, development, entertainment of children to advanced online services and artificial intelligence, there is nothing better than going through the whole process together, taking the best from both traditional and the most advanced methods.