A Guide to Parents: What is Scratch Coding?

Scratch is an introductory coding language in which kids and even adults enjoy educational programming tools. One bonus is that it’s super easy to use, making you learn quickly! 
Most parents approved their child to experience Scratch coding. Would you, too?
Well, if you are willing to expand your kid’s computer programming skills, then Scratch would be a great start. 
Here is the guide for you to familiarise yourself with Scratch coding and how it might affect your kids’ lives starting today.

Scratch and Its Programming Features

Scratch is a programming language platform that allows you to create interactive games, stories, simulations, arts, and a lot more using block-based programming technology. It even gives users opportunities to showcase their imagination, creativity, and innovations, helping them bring out these ideas digitally. 
Other than that, Scratch is a visual-block-based coding that consists of a colourful block, minimal texts, and simple drag-and-drop coding. Through this, users would not have a difficult time figuring out the whole coding process. It also serves as a fantastic starter for beginners. 
Not just that, mums and dads! Many code-learning kids also consider Scratch as the easiest programming language to learn.
Now, let's dive deeper and know more about Scratch, how to use it, and its differences compared with other programming languages. You are about to unlock the vital features of Scratch, depending on its suitability and essence for fun and learning purposes. 

Scratch: Block-based programming language

Scratch: Coding for All Ages

Everyone can really enjoy using Scratch. You don't need advanced computer science experience and knowledge to be able to take this programming language. So, beginners, like your kids, are highly suitable to use this platform. Moreover, these young minds would definitely enjoy coding classes using Scratch because it is more accessible and friendly to use. 
Primary school students up to high school learners could start Scratch coding. It prepares them for career-ready tech jobs and college degrees. Why? Some of the top universities use Scratch and other similar block-based technology in their computer science courses. 
Clearly, if your child begins learning Scratch at a young age, it would help them get ready for any track they would take in the future.
If your kids are taking more advanced programming classes, you will notice that they are using text-based programming like Python or JavaScript, which is definitely beneficial. You may just think that Scratch serves as a stepping stone or training ground for kids to learn patience and coding skills at the same time before they get into the nitty-gritty of kids coding classes.

Scratch as Another Kind of Coding Language

Scratch is much different from the other programming languages available. One significant difference is that Scratch uses visual block coding, while others cater to text-based programming languages.
Text-based programming. The majority of the leading apps and websites use the most popular coding languages that are text-based. They use and type symbols and words to create a program using text-based languages like JavaScript, Python, and C++.
When you compare text-based languages to learning a new human language, there are unique ways of writing texts for different computer commands, just like having a complete and unique pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. 
Whilst these programming languages are commonly used, if your kids are starting to learn how to code, it will be difficult for them to know the first time. Imagine kids learning new words every day or a new foreign language to learn from scratch. And this may often lead to confusion, especially for young kids who are just learning how to code.
Visual-based programming. In contrast, visual-based coding includes colourful blocks, puzzle-like objects, and interconnected graphical patterns. As visual learners, it makes children learn quickly, especially for young kids.
Scratch being distinct does not get left behind by leading programming languages. Even if it's not a text-based programming language, Scratch still is considered popular. It even ranked 19th in May 2020 as the most popular programming language worldwide, taking the world by storm one kid (and even adults!) at a time. 

Scratch blocks that are connected together.

What could be the reason why it is still in demand? 
It is due to its exciting but straightforward coding process. Using Scratch would not give kids, and even adults, a hard time typing traditional commands. It does not require them to use words and symbols. 
Your kids can start to build fun websites by dragging and dropping blocks from the block palette into other blocks, just like fitting a jigsaw puzzle. Scratch allows you to use colourful blocks and create programs like solving a puzzle. 
You can take your blocks out or snap them together, just like playing with your LEGO blocks, but virtual! It's that simple and fun at the same time! Afterward, you can click on the green flag in the Scratch interface to run the command you have just created.
Text-based programming and Visual-based programming. To bridge this gap and reap the benefits of coding classes, Scratch can do precisely the same thing as Python or JavaScript. However, the difference is, Scratch makes it easier to do. 
Since using Scratch code is much easier to follow and create, kids will surely learn quickly and run programs like using text-based languages in computer science. They don't have to worry about syntax. And because Scratch is block-based, it will be more fun to build and create interactive stories, games, and projects that your kids will surely love.

How Scratch Can Affect Your Child’s Development

Allow your child to create interactive stories. If you and your kids love to bond with overexciting and fun stories, then Scratch is just a perfect pair to your kid's interests. It allows your child to create interactive stories and lets them customise and personalise their narration as well. 
Your child's project in Scratch is different from the regular storybooks that you read. And because it's interactive, it allows anyone to play the game to be the main character of the story. How cool is that! 
You can find different projects in Scratch, including interactive stories that your child can just play or control the plot themselves. All you need to do is click on the Green Flag. You get to save your child's projects and let other users see and play with what they made. Your child can also play with interactive stories that other people made.
Not only will your kids bond over these stories, but they get to practice their storytelling and learn codes online at the same time. You both get to enjoy simple yet fun projects that can be non-interactive or interactive, depending on the creator of the story, just like filming your cast and movie.
Raise Your Child's Artistic Side. Your kids will learn how to code interactive stories, simulations, or games and improve their creativity and artistic sides. By building a game, your child will need to create a set of game characters called sprites and use different presets and backgrounds. 
Your children can also draw their designs. Scratch can hone your child's coding skills and creativity without the terror of text codes. They can customise the sprites and build a narrative to improve their creative design, theme, and storytelling skills.
Improve Your Child's Planning Skills. Planning will also help your kids figure out the parts of their code and design they want to work with using Scratch. Just like in any other thing, practice makes perfect. So, practising using blocks with codes and planning what to do about them will develop their sense of responsibility, planning, management and organisational skills.
Develop Your Child's Problem-Solving and Logical Thinking Skills. Your kids can become incredible problem-solver using Scratch programming codes. And because this allows your child to build projects that use block-based codes, it enhances your child's ability to logically think, decide and solve problems using the coding concepts. Using Scratch, your kids can establish confidence in any decision they may face.
Enhance Your Child’s STEM Skills. Due to various Scratch coding activities and challenges, your kid can prepare for advanced computer science programs. Most importantly, they can even excel in other subject areas like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths). 
Introduces Coding for Kids. Besides the developmental benefits, Scratch can also input basic concepts of coding. It would allow them to learn the principles and proper skills of programming. Furthermore, Scratch will help them think more like a programmer or computer scientist. As a result, you are already preparing them as a career-ready individual. 

Ready to Start Learning Scratch?

Besides the ones I mentioned above, your child can reach greater heights with Scratch. It is a fun and creative platform for learning codes perfect for kids of all ages. To start using Scratch, create a free account by visiting this website at scratch.mit.edu. Your kids can play with the fantastic projects that other Scratch users made or develop their projects using different blocks.
You can also enjoy unique, different projects in the Scratch Community. It is an online community that allows Scratch users to share what they made so that others can access it. The Scratchers projects serve as an inspiration for others who are just starting to use Scratch. Whenever you click on a specific project, you can see the codes used and edit the codes when you make a copy for yourself.
Don't worry because the Scratch community is safe for your children. The whole Scratch team ensures that your kids can learn online coding while having fun in a secure environment. They implement strict community guidelines where anyone can share their projects safely. You can also use the Search Wiki to read about the latest news and updates on new Scratch features and codes.
Your kids' imagination is their only limitation. So try Scratch now and create a brighter and more creative future for your children.

How would your kid learn Scratch?

Your child could start learning through coding books or Scratch playing itself. Some helpful tech toys and unplugged coding activities might also guide your child in programming. However, one practical and formal way to learn Scratch is through programming classes for kids. 
Skill Samurai is a kids' coding school in Sydney, Australia. It is an after-school care program that would help your child learn to code Scratch. Skill Samurai welcomes children starting from ages 7 to 18 to start with coding lessons and activities.
As you allow your child to join face-to-face programming classes for kids, it would teach them how to code correctly and collaborate with other kids. They would also receive the highest project-based learning opportunity perfect to learn the essential 21st Century skills.
You see, your child could start with basic Scratch coding. But eventually, you wouldn't know where they are about to take it. 
Start today if you want your child to hone these skills immediately. Click here to learn more.