ScratchJr facts for kids
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| Developer | MIT Media Lab |
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| First appeared | July 2014 |
| OS | Android, iOS and ChromeOS |
ScratchJr is a fun and easy visual programming language made for kids aged 5 to 7. It helps them learn basic coding skills. Think of it as a way to tell a computer what to do using pictures instead of words.
This app is a simpler version of the popular Scratch language. While Scratch is used by millions, it needs some reading skills. ScratchJr was created so even younger children could learn to code without needing to read or do math. It's available for free on iOS (like iPads), Android devices, and Chromebooks.
Contents
How ScratchJr Started
ScratchJr was created by a team of smart people. This team included Marina Umaschi Bers from Tufts University, Mitchel Resnick from the MIT Media Lab, and Paula Bonta and Brian Silverman from the Playful Invention Company. They wanted to make coding accessible to very young children.
The project received a big grant of $1.3 million from the National Science Foundation. They also raised more money through Kickstarter, a platform where people can support new ideas.
Release Dates
ScratchJr first came out in July 2014 for the iPad. An Android version was released in March 2015. Then, a Chromebook app followed in March 2016.
There's also a special version called PBS Kids ScratchJr. It was released in 2015 in partnership with PBS Kids. This version features characters and backgrounds from popular children's shows like Nature Cat and Wild Kratts.
Exploring the ScratchJr App
In ScratchJr, kids create code using things called sprites. Sprites are like characters or objects in a story. The app comes with many ready-to-use sprites. Kids can also change these sprites or draw their own using the "Paint Editor."
The Paint Editor
The Paint Editor is a creative tool. It lets you draw and color your sprites using many different colors. You can choose how thick your lines are and draw various shapes. If you make a mistake, there's an eraser tool too!
How Coding Works
To code, you drag colorful blocks into a special area. These blocks snap together like LEGOs. All the blocks use pictures (icons) instead of words. This is why kids who can't read yet can still use ScratchJr.
The blocks connect from left to right, just like how you read words. This is different from the original Scratch, where blocks connect from top to bottom.
The main coding area is at the bottom of the screen. The "stage" (where your story plays out) is in the center. On the right, you see different "scenes," and on the left, you see your sprites. Each sprite can have its own code for each scene.
Simplified Blocks
ScratchJr has a simpler design than the original Scratch. It has fewer categories of coding blocks and fewer blocks in each category. This makes it easier for young children to learn the basics without getting overwhelmed.
| Category | What it does | |
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| Events | These blocks start your code and send messages to other parts of your project. | |
| Motion | These blocks make your sprites move around and change direction. | |
| Looks | These blocks control if your sprite is seen, what it looks like, and if it says something. | |
| Sound | These blocks play a "pop" sound or a sound you've recorded yourself. | |
| Control | These blocks help you repeat parts of your code a certain number of times. | |
| Endings | These blocks can end your code, make it repeat forever, or go to a different page in your project. | |
Besides sprites, you can also add backgrounds to your projects. Backgrounds give your stories a setting, like a park or a house. Each background is like a new page in a book, and it can have its own set of sprites. A project can have up to four different backgrounds.
ScratchJr in Schools
ScratchJr is a great tool for teaching "computational thinking" skills in elementary schools. It's especially useful for students who are still learning to read, like those in Pre-K to 2nd grade.
Many schools use ScratchJr in their classrooms. For example, Kindergarten classes at the Eliot-Pearson Children's School in Medford (which is part of Tufts University) use it. The Jewish Community Day School in Watertown, Boston, also uses ScratchJr.
Available Languages
ScratchJr is available in many different languages around the world. This helps more children learn to code in their native language. Some of the languages include: Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, Danish, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Welsh.
See also
In Spanish: Scratch Jr para niños
