If you have children who are doing technology in middle school, it is very likely that in their classes, they are learning Scratch… Woop wooop, no Scratch is not a DJ manipulation with a vinyl, but a programming language intended for children and teenagers!
Very accessible for young and old, it is above all an introduction to programming which is based on systems of blocks to be positioned to create a code.
Learning programming is a real asset to improve children's ability to solve problems, boost their analytical mind and stimulate their creativity.
In this article we will see why and how to use Scratch !
A programming language for children?
Scratch is a programming tool that was designed as a 100% free platform which helps teach children and beginners to code. Scratch is a programming language, a development environment and an execution engine that is visually attractive and easy to understand.
The name Scratch refers to DJs who mix records, because this tool allows students to "mix" projects such as stories, animations, video games... This is done using sounds and images, all in a simple visual interface, based on blocks of code to assemble.
Developed by the MIT Media Lab, the platform is available in 70 languages worldwide. Scratch has more than 79 million projects shared by more than 72 million users. In 2020, it even entered the top 20 programming languages !
While it can be used by all beginners, Scratch is particularly aimed at children aged 8 to 16. It was launched publicly in 2007 and is currently in its 3rd version.
This tool is a great starting point to get started with programming for free and efficiently. Its block-based language design makes it very accessible and allows you to integrate concepts and the logic of more complex programming languages.
Why should children get into programming?
Programming is in itself an activity that requires and works many qualities. Creating a program or an animation is a satisfying act that aims to concretize and make functional an idea.
This allows you to work on many skills. First, you have to think of an idea to implement. This phase requires planning and creativity. The implementation phase requires understanding the programming language and logically assembling the code piece by piece. The debugging phase of the program requires analysis skills and sometimes perseverance in order to find the problem (if there is one).
As in many fields, the earlier you start, the more quickly you acquire a way of working, logic and skills.
While learning a programming language for the youngest can be tedious, it is important to make it fun. And that is what Scratch seeks to do. Its operation by assembling blocks also makes it much more accessible for beginners!
Getting started with Scratch
Scratch is a platform for creating but also sharing your creations. To get started, you will need to create a user account that will allow you to access all the available tools and store your projects. Everything happens in your browser and you do not need to install any software on your computer (there is however a version of scratch that can be installed on your computer if you want to work offline).
Creator and compte utilisator
Scratch allows registered users to share their projects. By registering, you therefore have access to all the projects shared on the platform. Taking a look at other users' achievements is a very good way to learn and progress.
When registering a new account, you will be asked to create username and password, and fill out other fields such as an email address. You must verify your email address to complete your account creation. Once this step is completed, your child can begin their coding journey.
Discover the Scratch environment
The Scratch interface is composed of 4 areas: the block palette, the code area, the stage and the sprite area.
The Blocks Palette groups together all the code blocks that can be used to create your project. These blocks are grouped by type: motion, appearance, sound, events, control…
The code area is where you will place your blocks of code one after the other… they fit together like a puzzle!
The stage is the area where your animation will be displayed in order to test your project.
Finally, the sprite area groups together all the characters and/or objects that you use in your scene.
Tutorials to discover Scratch
The best thing to do to get started with Scratch is to let yourself be guided! Indeed, the site is full of tutorials that will help your child discover step by step how the site works, its interface and the programming language in its own right.
When you are connected to Scratch, the tutorials can be found in the “Ideas” tab or directly on the tutorials page. These tutorials will explain to you how to make a chase game, how to make music, make a character fly, animate a text...
There are also PDF resources that go through some of these tutorials step by step.
In short, there are really a lot of very well done things for beginners!
And if you get lost, there is even a user forum in French which allows you to benefit from the experience of others so as not to get stuck.
Scratch is really easy to get into
Scratch is truly accessible to everyone. Behind projects that seem a little childish like creating small games or animations, however, are hidden key concepts in programming. Loops, Cartesian coordinates, collision detection and variable incrementation are all concepts that your child will discover without even realizing it. matters.
If you have children aged 8 and up, Scratch is a great way to introduce them to disciplined thinking, while making them believe they are playing. For once, their screen time will actually be useful!
