Coding is now on the school curriculum, my boys really enjoy coding at school and when we were offered the chance to try out a free kids coding lesson with Barclays code playground we jumped at it.
Within two hours (one for Maxi) both of the boys had created a game with the help of the Digital Eagles. The boys attended a 2 hour session with the Digital Eagles along with a group of around 10 other kids of varying ages and they had a blast.
But more than that they came home totally inspired and have continued to code and learn instead of just wanting to play. Below is a video from the day, see if you can can spot Maxi, Mini, MadDad and myself.
Not only did the boys both code their own game, but the Digital Eagles explained it to them and to both me and MadDad in a way we could understand, so that we could help the kids if we needed to.
Coding is already the nation’s favorite school subject with 24% of all school children stating it is their most loved subject and it has only been on the curriculum since September 2014 according to research revealed by Barclays.
However, the statistics also show that the introduction of coding into the National Curriculum has left some parents unable to help on the new favourite school subject with nearly 30% feeling unable to help their kids with their computing homework and 40% said they ‘dread’ helping with it.
With this in mind, Barclays Digital Eagles are helping families of all ages acquire and embrace digital skills and knowledge through the launch of ‘Code Playground’.
Code playground gives people (and you do not have to be a Barclays customer) the opportunity to learn about coding online or in branch with the help of a Barclays Digital Eagle. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to participate in order to bridge the divide between the generations’ digital know-how.
We have already looked in to booking in to our nearest code playground for another session.
Resources
Visit barclayscodeplayground.co.uk to book a free session or find ourt more.
You can also see if Coderdojo have free lessons in your area.
The boys have been using Scratch for coding which is a free software program that you can download.
We were gifted a Kano build it yourself computer by Barclays and loved building it and have been using it daily to code.
Disclosure: We were invited to the event and our travel expenses paid in addition to being gifted a Kano build yourself computer.
Wow! I had no idea that coding was on the curriculum. So glad your boys enjoyed it x
I think it is a great addition to the curriculum and something I know my son will love when he starts learning it. This sounds like a great help for parents and carers who otherwise wouldn’t be able to help with homework etc.
This sounds brilliant! I will definitely be looking it up, thanks for sharing.
There’s something about the word coding that puts the shivers up my spine and makes me switch off. I had no idea it was on the curriculum for sure.
There is a HUGE part of me that wants to train the twins up so they can look after all the coding on my blog though 🙂
They are going to be so much better at this lark than me, that’s for sure!
Wow what a great idea! I wouldn’t have a clue where to start but as it’s a technology driven word now I think it is important to give kids the tools to use when they’re older. I’m glad you all had fun. x
I think coding is such a valuable skill to have, if only we had known more about it when I was at school x
Wow, Our kids are going to be so smart! This both escites and scares me at the same time.
I’m thrilled they are doing it but scared as I have no idea about this type of thing at all and if they needed help I couldn’t offer it.
Sounds great fun though
What a fantastic scheme! I had no idea that coding is being taught at school. I’m going to find out if there are any coding sessions going on near us, thank you for sharing.
Gosh I’ve barely even heard the word coding! It certainly isn’t on the curriculum in France. Amazing that it’s being taught in UK schools.
Oooh am off to investigate if there is any near us as this is SO up my 11 year olds street. He wants to be a games programmer when he grows up and is always on scratch or something!
This looks fabulous, I would love to know more about coding myself !
Such a great idea, I would have loved this as a child. I remember coding on my Spectrum 🙂
My oldest loves coding and I think it’s brilliant that it’s becoming more accessible.
I’ll be honest I had no idea that coding was on the curriculum , very interesting to find out more 🙂
This is such a great idea, and such a valuable skill. It’s nice that finally schools are teaching coding, but it’s so far behind the rest of the world – we have a lot of catching up to do, and workshops like these are brilliant 🙂
This looks fantastic. My boys would love this, especially Lucas x
this is fantastic!
I know I would be totally excited to learn a bit more about coding! Love how they turned it into a learning opportunity for both kids and parents! Thank you for sharing on We Love Weekends!
We did a bit of coding at school and I was absolutely useless. It’s great that they’re introducing kids to this much earlier now. That way they just get on with it on don’t build up this barricade of “Oh gosh, that sounds so difficult,I can’t to that”
Thanks for linking up with Monday Parenting Pin It Party x