ScratchJr

The description of ScratchJr

Site Editorial Commentary：With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5+) can learn to code -- and code to learn!

ScratchJr is an introductory programming language designed to empower young children (ages 5 and up) to create their own interactive stories and engaging games. By snapping together colorful, graphical programming blocks, children can make characters move, jump, dance, and even sing! The intuitive interface allows children to easily modify characters in the paint editor, add their own voices and sounds, and even insert photos of themselves, bringing their imaginative creations to life with the power of code.

Inspired by the widely popular Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu), used by millions of young people (ages 8 and up) worldwide, ScratchJr has been carefully redesigned with a developmentally appropriate interface and programming language tailored for younger children. Its features are specifically designed to align with young children's cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development, making learning to code an accessible and enjoyable experience.

We believe that coding (or computer programming) is a fundamental literacy in today's world. Just as writing helps organize thinking and express ideas, coding empowers children to structure their thoughts and bring their ideas to fruition. While coding was once considered too complex for most, we believe it should be accessible to everyone, just like writing.

As young children code with ScratchJr, they learn to create and express themselves with technology, moving beyond passive interaction to active creation. In the process, children develop essential problem-solving skills, learn to design projects from conception to completion, and develop sequencing skills that lay the foundation for future academic success. Furthermore, they engage with math and language in a meaningful and motivating context, fostering early-childhood numeracy and literacy. With ScratchJr, children aren't just learning to code; they are coding to learn and explore the world around them.

ScratchJr is the result of a collaborative effort between the Developmental Technologies group at Tufts University, the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, and the Playful Invention Company. Two Sigma spearheaded the implementation of the Android version of ScratchJr. The captivating graphics and illustrations for ScratchJr were created by HvingtQuatre Company and Sarah Thomson.

If you find value in using this free app, please consider supporting the Scratch Foundation (http://www.scratchfoundation.org) with a donation. The Scratch Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing ongoing support for ScratchJr and making coding education accessible to all. We gratefully appreciate donations of all sizes.

This version of ScratchJr is optimized for tablets that are 7-inches or larger and running Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or higher.

Terms of Use: http://www.scratchjr.org/eula.html