ScratchJr, a program that teaches young children the basics of programming and digital creation, celebrated its tenth anniversary on September 16. A favorite resource at TCS, ScratchJr is a co-creation of Mitchel Resnick from the MIT Media Laboratory and Marina Bers, a Tufts professor whose research focuses on how technology can foster critical thinking in children’s development. As a simplified offshoot of Scratch, a visual programming language for older children, ScratchJr offers a rich and engaging platform for very young programmers.
In ScratchJr, children select a character or “sprite,” add a background to set the scene, and then snap together a series of graphical programming blocks to make the character move, jump, dance, and sing. The blocks are entirely icon-based, allowing children to use the language before they can read. They connect from left to right, like words. Children can modify the sprite in the paint editor, add their own voices and sounds, and even insert photos of themselves to create interactive stories and games. “There’s a palette of commands. It’s very colorful,” creator Marina Bers explained in a TEDx talk. “There are very few words, although if you put your finger over a command, words are displayed. We are very conscious that we want kids, even if they can’t read, to be exposed to letters and words.”
Bers believes that learning the basics of coding and programming, like reading and writing, should be universal. “It opens new ways to think about the world,” she said. “We’re learning how to think sequentially; we’re learning how to think about logic; we’re learning how to solve problems when the order doesn’t work as we want it to. And, most importantly, we’re learning how to express ourselves and create.”
With our older students we utilize Scratch, which expands on the foundational skills learned in ScratchJr. Scratch allows children to create more complex projects, incorporating advanced programming concepts and enabling them to design animations, games, and interactive stories. This platform encourages them to think critically and creatively as they collaborate on projects, sharing their work with peers and receiving constructive feedback. By progressing from ScratchJr to Scratch, students build a solid understanding of programming while enhancing their problem-solving skills and fostering a love for digital creation. The goal of the Scratch team is to get the app into the hands of all children, families, and teachers at no charge.
Another compelling reason to dive into digital creation in the early years is research showing that by fourth grade, stereotypes regarding who is or isn’t “good at STEM” are already forming. “Why wait until things don’t go right?” Bers asked. “It’s better to start early when all children are eager and open to learning new things.”
ScratchJr provides an approachable way for children to familiarize themselves with an artificial language—a sequence of colorful blocks that the app can “read.” It serves as an appealing introduction to the power of using languages—both natural and artificial—to create and express oneself. Equally important, the app was designed with the metaphor of a “playground” in mind, encouraging children to collaborate and problem-solve together. The ScratchJr development team also relies on feedback from children to improve the app, actively involving them in consultations on new features to ensure they are contributors to the technology they engage with.
As we reflect on ScratchJr’s impact over the past decade, we are excited to see how it continues to foster critical thinking and creativity in our young learners.
In code we trust,
Maureen
