5 easy DIY activities to teach algorithmic thinking at home
Algorithmic thinking means to go step by step to solve a problem. This is what coders do everyday. Below is a list of a few easy to do activities for you to engage your kids at home and also teach some important skills.
- Let’s count – Combining counting ability with direction sense. There are multiple ways to play this. Make a chart or on a whiteboard write numbers from 1-10 ( 1-20 for older kids)
a) Ask kids to trace the path with arrows:
b) You can instead write the steps to go from 1 to 10 and ask kids to follow.
Start at 1, Down, Down, Down, Right, Up, Up, Right, Down, Down, Right, Down, Down, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up, Right, Down, Down, Down, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up
c) For older kids, ask them to write steps to go from 1 to 10
2) Tell and Draw – Kids love to draw. Why not convert a normal drawing session to a fun coding session. You be the programmer and give clear instructions to the kid who’s a robot. For more fun swap roles. Kids really enjoy instructing parents.
For example:- Algorithm to draw a hut
Step 1: Draw a rectangle in the centre of the page. Try not to make it too long or too thin.
Step 2 : Draw a triangle on top of the rectangle to make the roof. The base of the triangle should line up with the top of the rectangle.
Step 3: Add a chimney to the roof. To make the chimney, draw a narrow rectangle on the left side of the roof
Step 4: Draw two windows on the front of the house.Make 2 squares one on the left side and the other on the right side of the rectangle.
Step 5. Make a rectangle on the front of the house to make the door.
Note: This has been designed for a 4 year old, you might need to add / delete more details to suit your child’s age and ability. If the child is older and can use a ruler, give measurements as well. That the rectangle should be 10 cm long.
- Story retell – Convert your child’s favourite story into a game. Here’s how :-
In this example we are using the all time favourite little red riding hood book but the game can be adapted to other stories as well.
Read aloud the story with your kid. Then ask your child to retell the story in his / her own words. Then twist the story a little.
Ask them to help the little red riding hood reach her grandma’s house by avoiding the big bad wolves on the way. Help the little red riding hood reach her grandma’s house. You can simply draw arrow signs on paper.
4) Let’s play detective –
Arrange their toys (stuff toys, cars, balls, dolls, anything they like) in a certain order and ask the child to play detective. He/ She has to guess the toy you have in mind. Give them clues to find the right toy.
Note: You can make this as simple or as complex you like. Kids love finding the right answers. Reward them for their hard work 🙂
5) Origami – is a fun activity that can easily incorporate computational thinking skills at home.Print or write down these instructions. Sit back to back with your child and follow them. If you have two kids, make them sit back to back ( not facing each other) and see how they follow instructions.
Note: This has been designed for a 4 year old. To make it more difficult, don’t give the child visual cues, only the written instructions.
6) Make a Paper Hat
Step 1: Get a regular piece of rectangular paper.
Step 2: Fold the paper in half lengthwise, then unfold.
Step 3: Fold the paper in half again from top to the bottom.
Step 4: Fold the left and right corners to the centre to form a triangle.
Step 5: Fold up the bottom flap along the base of the triangle.
Step 6: Turn the paper over.
Step 7: Turn the paper over.
