Resources to help kids learn CS
Early exposure to Computer Science (CS) learning can teach Computational Thinking skills (or how to think like a computer) and help young children foster a healthy relationship with technology, so they see computers as a creative medium rather than just for watching videos or playing games. Best of all, you don’t need to be a tech expert to support your child’s computer science learning journey. There are many “unplugged” computer science activities that introduce computational thinking concepts and practices through hands-on activities, including ones that don’t even need a computer.
Let them hear it from you!
Simply talking with your child about computing can make all the difference: it might even be the first time your child ever hears about Computer Science and AI. Better yet, you don’t need a device or computer to spark conversations with kids about what computer science is, why it’s important to learn, or to encourage them to try a computing course at school. Even if they already take CS classes, talk to your child to better understand what they know. You can clarify misconceptions, discuss CS careers, and ask critical questions about the ethics of tech. Click on the Sparking Conversations handout to find sample conversation starts such as:
– What do you like to do with technology?
– What do you envision computers doing in the future?
– Do you learn about Computer Science and AI at school?
– Do you think robots can be biased? How?
– How can technology help or harm people?
– What do you want to learn more about?
Put on your student hat.
The best teachers are lifelong learners, so put on your student hat! The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to know all the answers. You will be helping your child learn key computer science practices such as thinking creatively, problem solving, and working collaboratively, by modeling for your child that it’s okay to make mistakes and not have all the answers.
You can learn more about why Computer Science and AI education are more important than ever with these suggested supplemental reading resources:
- In the age of AI, students urgently need access to computer science (EdSource)
- Why Computer Science Education? A Toolkit for Parents (EDC)
- Teen and Young Adult Perspectives on Generative AI (Common Sense Media, Hopelab, Harvard Graduate School of Education)
- The State of CS Education Report (Code.org)
- Responsible AI and Tech Justice for K-12 Education (Kapor Foundation)
- A Guide to AI in K-12 Education (MIT Teaching Systems Lab)
- Computer Science Education in an Age of AI (TeachAI)
All kids need to know about the good AND bad of tech.
Only 6% of all high school students in the U.S. ever take a Computer Science class. Learning computer science prepares children to become well-informed consumers and creators with technology who can think critically about how computers can be helpful or harmful. Find out why learning computer science is essential for all children and what you can do to help by downloading the free guide for parents below.
Plugging into Power: A Guide for and by Parents to Advance Computer Science Education
Now available in English, en Español and in HTML!
