This document discusses introducing computer usage and programming to children in order to nurture creativity. It recommends starting by showing how computers can be used as a tool to enhance a child's existing hobby or interest, and then introducing basic programming concepts through programs like Light Bot to show how computers can be instructed to perform tasks. The goal is to make computing fun and tied to a child's natural interests and development rather than focusing on textbooks or formal instruction.

1. Introducing Computer Usage and Programming to Children
to Nurture Creativity

2. • Slides used at KidsINK, 2011
• This talk is best viewed with the
accompanying notes. Contact me if you
want the notes
– vishyp at twitter

3. Parents like kids to be creative (and famous)

4. .. Kids know what they want to do
“Oooh!” Something hurt Rohan’s heart.He wanted that star.

5. Where do Computers come in?
First,Introduce computers to kids as a tool
for *their* hobby they are already
passionate about
e.g., Computers for budding writers
Then, show them how they can make the
computers do new stuff (programming),
again, for their hobby

6. Blogspot for writing stories
MS Paint
Browser
Word
Processor
Google Images
[WITH parental
guidance]

7. Go Social. Involve their friends
Publish work at
pensnpastels.com
Social widgets

8. CREATE
CONSUME

9. As a Computer Scientist, I know that computers are more fun
when you MADE stuff with them.
Plus, I also believe that thinking to program develops thinking
in general – what they call algorithmically.
But how to do it? Doesn’t make sense to start with a textbook
so young.
So I did some research online and came up with the following
steps

10. Light Bot: Great mental model of how a computer is an
instruction-follower & not a magic box.

11. DOWNLOAD it,
TODAY.
Kids LOVE it!
And it’s real
programming

12. Next? Alice, Animation, Lego Mindstorms, Web pages,
BASIC.
Or, Acting, if the child wants!

13. Resources
• MS Paint
• Google Search, Images (SUPERVISION)
• Light Bot: Google for “Light Bot”
• Scratch: scratch.mit.edu
• Alice: www.alice.org
• www.pensnpastels.com
• Google Earth: earth.google.com

14. Go with the Kid’s interest & pace
PC or MAC, not iPad & Wii
Show the tools & tricks. Step away.
See familiar stuff through kids’ eyes. Re-learn.
Computers are not Magic, they are Magical