Parenting

Parents guide to the digital age

We live in an era where children are “Digital Natives” – let’s face it, technology feels like it was designed for them.  So, as caring parents, it’s important for us to keep up with the digital age. But how? In order to help children have healthy usage of digital tools, we as parents must assume our role in actively teaching these skills.

Digital devices, media, virtual learning and online-mediated interactions are an integral part of our world today. The benefits that the digital age offers us are endless, if used appropriately.

Children know how to upload and download stuff, edit photos, search for content, and fix grandma’s phone when she deleted all its apps. They navigate digital tools like fish in water to such an extent that it’s common to hear parents bemoan “My kid knows so much about technology that I feel I could never keep up”. 

Parents guide to the digital age

It’s great to see how children seem naturally born with these skills, but it also might be a little scary. There is no doubt that bad stuff can happen to kids with unsupervised use of technology, from being exposed to inappropriate content to inappropriate people. But the solution is not necessarily taking away their devices or banning an app. That can be kind of like saying cars are dangerous, so we’re going to completely stay away from cars. Instead, we can better understand technology, relate to it, connect with it and, teach them how to use it.

How to do our homework?

Being absolutely updated about every single app, game or social network our children could have access to is impossible. But, there are a few tips we could use to create a more conscious digital age navigation. 

Critical thinking in the digital age

Children navigate the digital age innocently. Teaching them critical thinking to analyze certain situations that may arise in this environment will benefit their use of technology. Having a talk with your children about the importance of privacy and the dangers the internet has is key. 

Children need to know that just as they can benefit from the internet, there are also dangers that they can detect and avoid themselves. Teaching them they can analyze and make decisions, guided by you as their parent, will help them throughout their life. 

Taking care of the landscape in the digital age

As we mentioned before, cultivating critical thinking in your children is fundamental. But, just as we must promote their independence and responsibility, it is also our duty to take care of the content they have access to. Doing a little research about the games they play or the influencers they follow will give you a glimpse of their digital environment. Then, you can decide for yourself which apps or games are appropriate for your kids. Is there a way to control whom they connect with on a game platform? Do you want to limit their access to those games with a certain ESRB rating: EC for Early Childhood, E for Everyone, E10 for Everyone 10 and up, T for Teen, M for Mature, and AO for Adults Only.

Also, there are thousands of apps or games labeled as educational, but this isn’t always quite right. Products pitched as educational are also worth checking out. Organizations like Common Sense Media reviews apps, games and programs to guide you in making the best choice.

Make a family digital use plan

The use of technology shouldn’t just be monitored for your children, but also for parents. Parents are number one role models for children. Technology, when used thoughtfully and appropriately, can really enhance our daily lives. Media shouldn’t displace important activities like face-to-face interaction, family-time, outdoor-play or exercise. 

Co-play, co-view and co-engage with your children’s movies and games encourages bonding, learning and social interaction. By playing a video game or watching a show together, you will have the opportunity to share experiences and become a part of it. The idea is to not just monitor them online, but interact with them and help mold their experience! 

In the end, kids will be kids. They could make mistakes when using digital tools. Helping them understand that technology is great while being used properly is the best thing you can do for them in our digital age.

Find out some really educational, fun, and safe activities for your children online by checking out our After-School Classes!

Uncategorized

What is 3D Modeling?

Think Shrek, Lord of the Rings, the recent Star Wars – what do these blockbuster hits have in common? They all unleash the power of 3D modeling and design! 

Whether your child likes 3D animated movies, video games or design in general, learning to 3D model can become their new passion. But, what is 3D modeling and why is it a good choice for kids to learn?

3D modeling is a computer graphic technique to create a 3D digital representation of any object or surface. To create a 3D model, you can use special software like Blender, Tinkercad or Maya to manipulate the vertices (points in virtual space) that create a mesh. This group of vertices in a mesh form a 3D object.

3D modeling example

The fundamental base of 3D models are the mesh that can be modified to create any form you want. This process allows you to create digital objects that can be fully animated. This makes this technique an essential tool to develop characters, animations and special effects.

What is 3D modeling used for?

Since you can create almost anything with 3D models, they can be used for a great variety of applications. You will find 3D models in video games, movies, robotics, architecture, illustration, engineering, advertising, fashion, medicine and more!

Therefore, 3D modeling has become an essential skill of many creative and technological careers. For example, game designers, animators and developers can bring their ideas to life using the power of 3D models. Architects and engineers use it to plan, design and preview the details of their work. And almost every Hollywood movie creates their amazing special effects using 3D models and animation.

3D modeling example 2

Interesting fact: Game of Thrones used 3D modeling and animation to mock up their episodes before filming them.

Why is it a good choice for kids to learn?

Because of the multiple applications that 3D modeling has, it has increased its value and its demand in the job market. Though 3D modeling and animation is still a growing industry, job opportunities and related career options continue to grow in the future.

New uses and applications of 3D models continue to be found every day in different areas. This is how it becomes a useful tool for young people to apply in the future, whatever career path they decide to choose.

Besides the extensive market for 3D modelers and animators and future career opportunities, 3D modeling itself develops essential skills for kids’ lives. This technique boosts creativity and problem-solving skills. Visual and geometrical skills are greatly stimulated when learning to 3D model.

So let your child unleash their inner Da Vinci or Michelangelo by exploring 3D models and animation. This amazing skill will allow them to have fun building 3D models of whatever they can imagine, while adding value to their future careers. 

If your child is into video games, design or engineering, feel free to explore our 3D modeling and animation online class specially designed for kids ages 10 to 14. 

Parenting

Screen time for kids: How much is too much?

Nowadays kids and screens have practically become inseparable. Wherever and whenever you go, you can see children interacting with tablets, phones, PCs, game consoles and TVs. And despite some of the benefits technology can have for children, it makes you wonder, how much screen time for kids is too much?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) children ages 8 to 10 spend an average of 6 hours per day in front of a screen. Kids ages 11 to 14 spend an average of 9 hours, and teens ages 15 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours per day in front of a screen. This makes an average of 7.5 hours of screen time per day for children from 8 to 18. 

Quality vs. Quantity

This might sound like a lot, and that is probably right depending on the quality of the screen time. And that’s because screen time for kids should also be measured in terms of quality and benefits for your child. Apart from the online school hours due to Covid 19, your child can enjoy positive educational screen time. 

Not all screen time is equal: a violent war style video game is very different from an interactive educational online game. Those two examples epitomize clear instances of low-quality vs. high-quality screen time for kids.

Screen time for kids

Setting guidelines for screen time for kids

Regardless of whether it is high-quality or low-quality, you need to establish some guidelines about screen time for kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have updated their guidelines to reflect the realities of today’s digital world. The AAP’s new recommendations are consistent with technology being present in our children’s lives. 

The fact that technology is ever-present in our children’s lives makes it ever-challenging to set a limit for screen time. But, we can’t deny that some kids are growing dependent on having constant access to their devices. The new guidelines from the AAP offer a helpful hand in setting healthy guidelines to help protect our children from developing an unhealthy relationship with technology and their devices.

Below, we have summarized some of the AAP new guidelines about screen time for kids for you:

Healthy role models

Healthy role models for the use of technology is essential. Children tend to mimic parents, so you are their first role model in the way they interact with technology. You can start by setting limits on your own for electronics use – that includes your cell phone! Notice your own technology use, and take a break when you need to protect your own mental health too. Try to spend time outdoors, engage your kids with physical activities, or just read books. 

Rules are still needed

Kids, and even parents, need rules for the use of technology. Try to create routines for the use of devices:  technology should not take the place of sleep, physical activity, reading, reflective downtime, or family connection. You can also set rules about how much time your child can play online with friends, which sites they can visit, the games they can play, and the movies they watch. Here you can get some tips to help you make the most of screen time for your kids and minimize online risks.

Get involved in their digital world

Try to engage with your child’s technology interests. You can get involved in your child’s interests by learning about the games they play or the Youtubers they follow. Explore the internet together, learn more about their favorite games like Minecraft (Learn here more about Minecraft) or Roblox. Being more actively involved can also help ensure your child’s protection from accessing things you would prefer they don’t access.

Show them technology has pros and cons

It’s always easier to follow the rules when you understand the reasons behind it. Explain to your kids that technology can have many benefits, but it also has its dangers and limits. Kids can learn a lot from educational content on the internet, but they can also be exposed to inappropriate content. Take steps to make your child conscious of what’s allowed and what’s not in their technology use. 

Set time without technology

Turn off your electronics at certain times you set as a family during the day or on specific days of the week and make it a family ritual. A little digital detox can improve your child’s well-being. It’s always important for kids to have time to engage with activities that don’t involve their digital devices. 

It is clear that the key to promoting a healthy relationship with technology is to set healthy rules. As parents we should seek strategies to make screen time for kids as high quality as possible. Having your child learn how to create with technology by coding, designing and testing their own video games is an excellent way to have high-quality screen time. Signing your child up for a tech class can really maximize the educational benefits they will get from computer time while providing them with a safe environment to explore tech in a positive way.

Last, please feel free to explore our online After-school classes, Private and Semi-private classes to make the most out of your child’s screen time!

Uncategorized

Is Minecraft really educational?

Since its release in 2011, Minecraft has become one of the most popular games ever made. It has a community of over 91 million players, and most of them are children and teenagers. But the real question is, how has a game like this became so good for education?

First of all, we need to really understand what Minecraft is. As we mentioned before, a decade after its release it’s one of the most popular games among children. What makes this game stand out from other online video games is the freedom it gives to its users.

What makes Minecraft different?

While the majority of video games give an objective or a plot to their players, Minecraft instead gives no instructions at all. The game allows you to figure out what you want to do in its world, giving complete creative freedom in what is called a sandbox format (think kids in a sandbox making their own creations in an open-ended way).

The world of Minecraft is completely made from 3D blocks; these blocks can be broken and picked up to build incredible structures. That’s why it is so often referred to as digital LEGOS as children can create anything they can imagine with these blocks. 

But that’s not all – players can edit source code that makes up Minecraft with mods (modifications) to change the game behavior or use its built in command line to write functions with coordinates, parameters, variables, conditional statements, and more to make special things happen in the game. Furthermore, players can modify the program using Java code and that’s when they start really diving deeper into code while playing their favorite game.

Finally, the game has a redstone system built into it that follows the same logic and rules as real engineering circuitry. So tapping into building mechanics and electronics inside of the game by learning to use its redstone system teaches kids the basics of engineering and circuits. Kids can use this to create anything from real computers inside the game to roller coasters, trap doors, firework displays, and even Rude Goldberg machines.

Is Minecraft really educational?

Now that we have a better understanding of how Minecraft works, let’s check some of the benefits of Minecraft!

Top reasons why Minecraft is good for education

Many of the reasons why kids love Minecraft are also the reasons why it is considered beneficial for their development. Minecraft engages their minds and lets them explore their creativity, problem solving skills, teamwork and even programming.

Minecraft encourages creativity

Probably one of the strongest benefits that Minecraft offers is its endless creative opportunities. With an average of 921.6 quadrillion blocks per world, children can really create anything that comes to their minds. Encouraging creativity at young ages plays an essential role in child development. Creativity allows children to find innovative solutions, new ways of doing things and create opportunities.

If your child wants to create an amusement park with giant dragons, then they can do it! The only restriction is that they have to find a way to do it with the famous building blocks (and perhaps some engineering and code). It’s all possible in Minecraft as this popular article in Edutopia explains.  

Minecraft reinforces problem solving skills

What makes Minecraft great to reinforce problem solving skills is that it offers an incredible amount of freedom to make decisions. This open ended problem-solving can help sharpen how well a child can face obstacles. Whether those problems are hypothetical or real life situations. Minecraft can encourage and expand this type of thinking. As the game allows players to set their own rules, players have freedom to find creative ways to solve problems that can appear while they’re creating projects in the game. 

So children can find themselves in situations where they must build a shelter, find food or escape from some fun monster by creating the solution on their own. This encourages children to think outside of the box to figure out how to solve complex situations. This can help children get used to quickly and efficiently solve real-world problems and use critical thinking while doing so. Even schools have noticed the potential in Minecraft including it into their classrooms as you can read here.

Minecraft introduces programming skills

Minecraft is an excellent tool to introduce children to programming, as it opens the door to fundamentals of coding. Because of the possibilities it gives to customize its code in Java, Minecraft contributes to developing this key learning skill.

It is important to highlight that Minecraft won’t exactly teach a programming language, but it introduces basic coding functions. Children can learn functions like IF, THEN, ELSE, and END which can be used to build all kinds of actions and mechanisms. Kids can deepen their programming skills by taking classes with experts and learn to customize the code to create effects. Some more eager and self motivated kids can even learn a lot of this on their own.

In fact, Minecraft has been the initial step for many video game designers and programmers. Kids can progress from coding their first automations in the game to developing complex game actions.

Conclusion

Now we hope you have a better idea about how Minecraft can be a really useful educational tool for children. Learning with it can prepare kids for the future by building core skills like critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. It can also even be an amazing tool to learn other skills such as math (think 3 dimensional geometry!)

To take learning in Minecraft to the next level, you can explore some of CodeREV Kids’ classes. Your child can start turning their passion into real promise!

Coding Curriculum, Coding Education

Best coding languages for kids

Since technology has become present in our lives, dominating coding languages has become a need for adults and children. Indeed, programming for youngsters is turning into an undeniably necessary subject. Learning how to code at a young age can genuinely set your kid up for success. They don’t just develop basic coding skills, but skills for the rest of their life.

Today, even kindergartners can start exploring different coding languages that fit their age needs. Learning code abilities at a young age will impact their development in STEM, and so forth, in their future careers. Also, studies have shown that coding reinforces skills like problem solving, logic, creativity and critical thinking. 

A parent’s guide to coding languages

Programming is the language of the future and learning how to effectively use it is easier than it looks. First of all, you should know that there are a huge amount of coding languages for kids to start with. Scratch, Java, Python, some forms of JavaScript, and Lua are probably the best, and most known, coding languages to begin with for kids. 

In any case, each coding language has its own working framework, style and expected use. But in general, these languages show kids how to track down an answer for an issue using an arrangement of steps, activities or directions. 

Generally, children tend to quickly become familiar with coding languages designed for them. Kids learn better through visual boost and this is the reason why graphical programming programs turn out better for beginners. Once children understand fundamental coding concepts, they can move to text-based programming languages  (line coding) and learn the syntax of various programming languages.

But, how to choose the best coding language for your child? 

It might be hard to decide the best way to introduce your child to code. That’s why we made our top 3 of what we consider the best coding languages for kids! Check it out with us, and feel free to ask us any questions you have to help you choose the best coding class for your child.

Scratch

Scratch is a free educational programming language developed by Mitch Resnick and patented by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Learning to code with Scratch is easy for kids because of it’s intuitive, easy-to-use visual block interface. This makes it an amazing starting point for kids to start connecting with code.

Best Coding Languages for Kids: Scratch

The simplification of the process of designing games and creating stories and their big online community makes Scratch the perfect coding language to introduce your child to code from ages 6 to 16.

Lua

Lua is the perfect coding language to introduce children to text-based code since it’s easy to learn, use, and embed into applications. The power of Lua coding is that with a beginner-friendly language, it introduces simple concepts that can turn into greater creations.

Best codinga languages for kids_lua
Best Coding Languages for Kids: Lua

In addition to its simplicity and efficiency, Lua is used by Roblox which is a game platform adored by kids. Learning to code with Lua in Roblox, allows kids to create exciting and fun games that they can share with all their friends. 

Java

Java is one of the most used coding languages in the world. Gmail, by Google, and Twitter, for example, were created in Java, as well as one of the most popular computer games nowadays: Minecraft! If your child is into Minecraft, Java can be a great programming language to create with.

Java gives a richer insight of coding as it’s designed to continue developing over the years. Although it’s harder to learn because of its variables, Java catches children’s excitement as it is widely used to make video games and mobile apps. It is also a great entry level object oriented programming language, typically focused on CS programs later in school. Its scalability makes it perfect for kids from 10 to 16.

These days, learning to code is a priceless and useful skill for kids. Understanding how something works, how to solve problems and being able to create new scenarios has a myriad of benefits for budding young programmers.. Regardless of the age of your child, there’s a perfect coding language they can start exploring to open a world of opportunities. Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions? If so, we’d love to hear from you! 

Education

Summer Coding Camp: Online vs. In-Person

Summer is here, and you might be struggling to decide whether to join an Online or In-Person Summer Coding Camp. Because of COVID-19, most summer camps have updated their in-person programs or have turned them into virtual or hybrid experiences. Unsure about signing your child up for Online or In-Person Summer Coding Camp? Take a deeper look with us to make the best decision for your child. 

Summer is the perfect opportunity for kids —and parents— to change their online school routines. Traditional in-person summer camps can be an incredible experience for kids because of the hands-on and outdoor activities involved as well as the friends kids can make. On the other hand, online summer camps allow kids to interact and learn with their peers from the comfort of their home. Virtual camps also enable you to choose programs that could be based anywhere in the country or even the world.

Rest assured, there is a Summer Coding Camp experience awaiting that’s perfect for your child. So…, let’s take a look together at some of the pros and cons of Online Summer Coding Camp and In-Person Summer Coding Camp!

Online vs. In-Person Summer Coding Camps
Online vs. In-Person Summer Coding Camps

Online Summer Coding Camp Pros and Cons:

Due to the pandemic, online education became the main solution to keep delivering education during the past year. Online Summer Coding Camps have increased their popularity since they are interactive, often lower in cost, and typically allow smaller instructor-to-student ratios than school or similar programs. Apart from that, here are some of their main characteristics you can weigh to make an informed decision.

Offers Greater Flexibility

Taking an Online Camp gives you a kind of adaptability that isn’t accessible with conventional in-person strategies. Usually, the only requirement for an online coding camp is a computer with internet, audio, and video. You can join from anywhere, access recorded classes and choose a wider range of times than in an in-person camp. 

Gives Greater Variety

During the last year, the offer of online programs has increased notably. In the virtual field, you can find literally all kinds of classes from sports to arts and music to technology. A summer coding camp works very well in a virtual format, as it often has smaller instructor-to-student ratios, allowing more online one-on-one time between campers and teachers.

Is Often Less Expensive

In general terms, online education tends to be less expensive than in-person learning. In an Online Summer Coding Camp you don’t just save on transportation costs, but also save on the cost of the camp itself. Usually virtual camps are cheaper because paying for facilities costs and maintaining staff for on-site camp is more expensive than offering an online program.

Although there are many pros related to e-learning, there are some things to consider before signing up for an online camp. One of the most common cons is that kids, and especially parents, may not want more screen time right now. Also, some kids are tired of being at home and want to get away from the house. 

(Here, you can also find 7 Lasting Benefits of Virtual Summer Camp)

In-Person Summer Coding Camp Pros and Cons:

More Hands-On Experience

The experience of an In-Person Summer Camp after a year of online learning can be thrilling for your children. Being able to interact with instructors and other kids face-to-face, to touch, make and create with their own hands has been proven to have several benefits in kids’ overall experience and learning process.

Facilitates Connections

Despite the options we have to interact through online tools, they can’t always be compared with the experience of being on a campus. The buzz of camp surrounding kids, or a group game can be unique to being at an in-person camp. In an In-Person Summer Coding Camp, students can connect in real-time to strengthen their social skills such as through teamwork. While this is also possible in virtual camps, for some children, it isn’t quite the same as being there with peers. In-person training provides greater opportunities for group activities and interactive projects if your child’s learning style suits an in-person format better.

Allows For a Change In Environment

Both children and parents have had a long year of working, learning and studying from home. An In-Person Summer Camp is the perfect opportunity for kids to change their everyday online school routine. Going to a new place and enjoying outdoor activities with kids their same age can be refreshing and exciting. This isn’t just a perfect getaway for kids, but also for parents who could use a full-time summer camp in order to focus on work….and on themselves!

While In-Person learning has multiple benefits both for parents and children, it’s important to recognize your child’s learning style. Some kids find speaking out in public or meeting new people intimidating, limiting the possibility of enjoying the in-person format. There are also always greater Covid risks, though you should check the camp’s Covid precautions taken, when joining an in-person camp right now.

In conclusion, there are benefits and drawbacks to both in-person and online summer coding camps, though both are net positive. Before making your decision, it’s important to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each camp format. But most importantly, choose the option that best fits your child’s learning style and preferences to give them an amazing summer camp experience.

Education

Invest in education for your child’s future

Investing in education is one of the most powerful things we can do for our child’s well-being from all points of view. When you invest in education you are helping your child develop their full potential and ensure a better future. Whether it’s taking art classes or signing up for an after-school online class, every cent you spend on new educational experiences for your child will be worth it. 

Over the years, we have learned how education can have a lasting effect in children’s lives. Investing in education can put kids on a path towards wellbeing, employment and success. Actually, education is not only useful for our own children and us as parents, it’s also useful at a macro level.

“Evidence shows that, on average, each additional year of education boosts a person’s income by 10 per cent and increases a country’s GDP by 18 per cent. Some researchers estimate that if every child learned to read, around 170 million fewer people would live in poverty.” (Yoka Brandt, Unicef)

Invest in education for the Future

As parents we will always want the best for our children. Education is a life-long process that can include simple habits that can improve our child’s life from a young age. Certainly, this isn’t just in the academic area, but in almost every aspect of their life. Most importantly, a solid education can help children adapting to situations they will face in the future in a effective way.

Invest in educaction for the future

Let’s check out three reasons why invest in education is the best gift you could ever give to your child!

1. Education Enriches Their Vision of Life

Education is an excellent method to try different things with your child’s hobbies, interests, inclinations, abilities, and desires. By giving your child the opportunity to face new circumstances and activities, their mind goes into power mode. Whether it’s getting familiar with sports, art, technology or science, they can start enriching their vision of life.

2. Education Boosts Creativity and Innovation 

Learning and exploring different topics that catch your child’s attention enriches their knowledge. Also education can give them innovative ways to connect the information they have to create new solutions. Education can really extend their vision into the world, adding new data and broadening their viewpoint in any event.

Therefore, investing into education is to stretch the boundaries of their reality and their capacity to innovate further away. By stretching those boundaries, they develop their abilities to think creative thoughts that can make them stand out from the rest.

3. It Will Last Forever

Something amazing about learning is that literally nobody can take it away. Consequently, education it’s an everlasting gift that you can give your child to build their future. Material things can easily disappear, yet nobody could take away something that you’ve learned and experienced.

The time and money you invest in education for your child to develop skills, abilities, hobbies and knowledge will never be wasted. Knowledge will stick with them one way or another forever. In short, investing in your child’s education isn’t just filling them with knowledge. Investing in your child’s future is giving them tools to successfully face any situation that comes their way.

Education

Learning math: 5 exciting ways to learn math at home

It’s a reality, some kids tend to find learning math difficult and, as it turns out, most kids are affected by two common factors:

  1. The myth that it is a challenging and hard subject to comprehend
  2. Old methods of teaching math don’t always make it easy for kids to personally connect to it.

Fortunately for kids, and for parents, these days we have multiple ways of getting kids excited about learning math! 

Math is often one of the most unloved subjects in school; students don’t get amped up for numbers and recipes the way in which they get excited for different subjects. Because math is more complex and harder to associate with real-life examples, it can be less interesting if not taught properly.

Luckily, nowadays virtual learning has opened numerous entryways for kids and parents to have an exciting approach to mathematics. New methods like gamification, simulation, design thinking, live-online classes, online games and even YouTube videos, can get kids excited about learning math, regardless of having affinity or being good in the subject or not. 

Learning math

Learning math, but make it fun!

For little youngsters, and for adults too, dominating a new or difficult skill requires lots of practice. In order to avoid practicing math becoming a constant struggle, finding options to make learning math fun, relatable and interactive is key. 

Gamified learning has had a huge impact on teaching in the last 5 years as it involves using game-based elements like point scoring, competition, team work or score tables to increase engagement when learning new information. That means kids learn best when they are also having fun!

The gamification of learning allows children to see real-life applications and benefits of the subject matter in a highly engaging format. This also helps develop some other important skills for life like confidence, creativity, commitment, teamwork and problem solving. These are skills they can apply not only in the classroom, but in almost every aspect of their life.

Here are 5 fun ways that we find useful to make kids excited about learning math!

Eureka Math

Eureka Math is a free, open-education resource for parents and teachers of kids from pre-K to high school. You can get worksheets, teacher guides and tips for parents.

Khan Institute Recordings

Khan Institute offers a great amount of math preparation content. From essential classes to optional school learning, there is something for everybody. For example, there is a sub-channel called Khan Institute Early Math. It covers points like checking and calculation. 

Learning Math with Minecraft

Yes, Minecraft isn’t just one of the most popular online games for kids in the world, it is also a great tool to engage kids with math and STEM concepts. We designed a one-of-a-kind, amazing MathCraft program where both parents and students truly win as parents get to watch their students thrilled to do math!

UNO Flip

Another simple way for the family to practice math in a fun way, Uno Flip game creates simple math problems your child will need to solve! You could easily do this for addiction, subtraction, multiplication, or even division. Check how to play it with your family here.

Food fractions!

Food fractions are a great and delicious way to learn math! Cut up your lunch sandwiches, tortillas or pies and learn with your child about fractions, addition and subtraction while you enjoy a family picnic!

Coding Education

Challenge Your Child to Take on a New Activity

The list of jobs of a good parent is long. Of course, the basics are necessary – food, clothing, education, etc. – but the list gets much longer as we think of ways for parents to help nurture their child’s intellect and curiosity. At CodeREV Kids, we have some unique ways to challenge your child through the joys of learning to code.

Coding can help your child for the rest of their life

There are plenty of activities your child can take part in, so you may be wondering – why coding? The truth is that there is a long list of reasons that coding can help your child. Not only will your child learn valuable skills today, but the demand for employees who can code is only projected to go up in future years. What’s more, it’s not just coders they’re looking for. Future jobs may seek out employees in all sectors who also know how to code.

Your child can build on a host of skills

When your child comes to one of our coding classes, they’ll learn about coding but they’ll be building other skills too. Our classes help foster critical thinking and team work. They help improve our students’ self-esteem and they can increase their interest in both math and science. Whether your goal is to help them specifically learn coding, or to boost their self-confidence or help them make new friends, it’s all available here.

Our instructors have unique backgrounds

When a company is staffing for a company like this, what do you think they should focus on more: Instructors who have experience teaching children or instructors who are experts in coding specifically? For other companies, this may be a difficult question to answer but for us it was easy: Our instructors are both. They come to us with vast experience teaching children and creating curriculum, but they’re also experienced in coding in the real world.

If you’re looking for a way to challenge your child, help prepare them for the future, and introduce them to new friends, then CodeREV Kids is a great choice. We offer a host of programs from Minecraft maneuvering to structured coding classes and even classes that allow your child to work at their own pace. We’ve done everything we can to ensure that all students can find the perfect balance between being challenged and feeling confident.

 

Coding Curriculum

3 Ways Your Kids Can Learn About Robots in CodeREV Kids Classes

At CodeREV Kids, we are committed to your children finding the most incredible ways to build their STEM knowledge. We are proud to be able to highly recommend any of our classes but our robotics classes are especially interesting for many of the kids we work with. We know that every child is at a different place in their learning process, which is why we offer three unique robotics classes.

1. Little Bits

Little Bits is what we call an engineering stepping stone class. In these STEM classes, students work together to build dynamic electronic projects. Not only do they learn about the electronic and science aspect of building, but they learn how to work together. They build both creativity and teamwork skills. In this class, you can count on your child learning both simple and complex projects. We believe in building these skills at an early age and Little Bits is a great way to do that.

2. LEGO Mindstorms

Has your child always wanted their own robot that they could learn how to control? In this robotics class, your child will learn how to program their own robot to do some pretty fantastic things. We love all the classes we offer at CodeREV Kids but our LEGO Mindstorms is consistently rated as one of the most educational classes we offer – not to mention the most fun!

3. Arduino

For older kids who want to learn how to code with the big boys, Arduino is a great choice. In this class, your child will learn the beginning build blocks they’ll need to successfully learn C++. They’ll program their Arduinos to light up, make a bunch of noise, move, and process an unbelievable amount of information. This is truly an amazing platform that is a great option for advanced students. If your child is super creative and ready to move on to an advanced class, then this may be the one for them.

Are you not sure where your child falls within these three options? Or do you have other coding classes in mind? Feel free to reach out to us here at CodeREV Kids. Our instructors aren’t just coding experts, they all have experience teaching as well. Our number one goal is for your child to have a great time while learning. We can help you place your child in the perfect class for their skill level.