💻Coding for Kids: Scratch to Python

Most children's coding courses stop at dragging blocks around, which leaves them with the impression that programming is a toy. This one deliberately crosses the bridge into text-based Python in the second half, at the point where block-based limits start to annoy them — which is exactly the right moment.

The transition lesson shows the same catch-the-apple game written both ways, side by side. Children immediately see that Python is shorter, not scarier.

What your child will be able to do

By the end of this course, a learner working at the expected pace will be able to:

• Build a working game in Scratch using loops, variables and conditionals
• Explain what a variable is and predict what a program will output
• Write and run Python programs that take input and make decisions
• Break a problem into steps before writing any code
• Find and fix a bug systematically rather than by guessing

How the course is structured

Coding for Kids: Scratch to Python is organised into 5 units covering 80 lessons in total, designed to run across 24 weeks at roughly 2 hours a week. The unit outline below shows 20 representative lessons.

Thinking like a programmer

• Algorithms in everyday life
• Decomposition: breaking it down
• Predicting what code will do
• Debugging: reading the error

Scratch fundamentals

• Sprites, events and sequence
• Loops: repeat and forever
• Variables and a score counter
• Conditionals: if this, then that

Scratch projects

• A catch-the-apple game
• A quiz that keeps score
• An animated story
• A maze with collision detection

First Python

• print, input and variables
• Numbers and strings
• if / elif / else
• for and while loops

Python projects

• A number-guessing game
• A times-tables quiz generator
• A password strength checker
• A text adventure with functions

How it is taught

Every project starts from a working starter file with one thing broken, so the first task is always reading and understanding someone else's code. Writing from a blank file comes later.

What is included

• 80 lessons with code-along videos
• Starter files for every project
• Printable algorithm planning sheets
• 20 quizzes plus eight project rubrics

Who this course suits

This course sits in the Grade 4 track and follows a fayferz original sequence. It suits families who want a complete, sequenced computing year rather than a set of loose practice activities, and it assumes no teaching experience — every lesson includes a short method note for the adult. If your child is comfortably ahead or behind the intermediate level described here, use the placement check in lesson one and start at the recommended point instead of lesson one.