For kids aged 5-7, ScratchJr offers a fun and engaging way to dive into the world of programming by dragging colorful blocks to create programs and make characters move! This introductory programming language is designed for young children, empowering them to craft their own interactive stories and games. With ScratchJr, kids can snap together graphical programming blocks to make characters perform actions like moving, jumping, dancing, and singing. They can also personalize their projects by modifying characters in the paint editor, adding their own voices and sounds, and even inserting photos of themselves, then using the programming blocks to bring their creations to life.
ScratchJr draws its inspiration from the renowned Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu), which is used by millions of young people (ages 8 and up) globally. To cater to younger audiences, ScratchJr's interface and programming language have been thoughtfully redesigned to align with the cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development of young children.
We view coding, or computer programming, as a new form of literacy. Just as writing helps you organize your thoughts and express your ideas, coding does the same. Previously considered too complex for most, we believe coding should be accessible to everyone, much like writing is.
As young children engage with ScratchJr, they learn to create and express themselves using the computer, not just interact with it. Through this process, they develop problem-solving skills, design projects, and enhance their sequencing abilities, which are crucial for future academic success. Additionally, they apply math and language skills in a meaningful and motivating context, fostering early childhood numeracy and literacy. With ScratchJr, children are not only learning to code; they are coding to learn.
ScratchJr is a collaborative effort between the Developmental Technologies group at Tufts University, the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, and the Playful Invention Company. Two Sigma spearheaded the development of the Android version of ScratchJr, while the graphics and illustrations were crafted by HvingtQuatre Company and Sarah Thomson.
If you enjoy using this free app, please consider donating to the Scratch Foundation (http://www.scratchfoundation.org), a nonprofit organization that supports ScratchJr. We appreciate donations of all sizes.
This version of ScratchJr is compatible only with tablets that are 7-inches or larger and run Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or higher.
Terms of Use: http://www.scratchjr.org/eula.html
What's New in the Latest Version 1.5.11
Last updated on Nov 28, 2023
Minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to check it out!
