Code Play: Sequences, Loops and Ifs for Ages 5–9

Ten short lessons for early readers — a few sentences to read together, then one picture activity — covering the ideas every programming language is built on.

What you'll be able to do

• Explain that a program is a list of steps a computer follows exactly, in order
• Build a path for a robot with arrow steps and fix it when it goes wrong
• Use a loop to repeat a step instead of tapping it again and again
• Say what happens when an event happens, and choose an action for an IF
• Find a bug in a list of steps and say why it is wrong
• Describe a variable as a labelled box that holds one thing at a time

Before you start

• Reading short sentences, or a grown-up to read them aloud
• A phone, tablet or computer with a browser — nothing to install
• About ten minutes per lesson

Curriculum

Lesson 1 is free to read, no account needed. The rest unlock the moment you buy.

1. 1 A program is a list of steps Preview free Computers do exactly what the list says, in order — nothing more, nothing less. 3 min
2. 2 Robot steps Give the robot a path with arrow steps, press Go, and watch it follow your program exactly. 3 min
3. 3 Loops — do it again Instead of tapping the same step three times, say "do this three times". That is a loop. 3 min
4. 4 Patterns are loops too Red, blue, blue, red, blue, blue… — a pattern is a loop you can see. 3 min
5. 5 Events — when something happens When the doorbell rings, you open the door. Programs wait for events too. 3 min
6. 6 If this, then that IF it is raining, THEN take an umbrella — the computer checks and chooses. 3 min
7. 7 Bugs — when steps go wrong A bug is a step that is wrong or in the wrong place. Finding it is the job. 3 min
8. 8 Variables — boxes that remember A variable is a box with a label. It holds one thing, and you can change what is inside. 3 min
9. 9 Break big things into small steps "Grow a flower" is too big for a robot. Break it into steps it can do. 3 min
10. 10 Plan your own program Use everything — steps, loops, a bug check — to make a robot path you designed yourself. 3 min

How it works

1. 1 · Buy once

   One payment in your own currency, no subscription. An adult buys; the account is created from the email you pay with.

2. 2 · Log in and read

   Every lesson opens in the adult's account on any device. Mark each one done and pick up where you left off.

3. 3 · Keep the Word file

   The whole course as a .docx — annotate it, print it, read it offline. Re-download it any time from your orders.

Questions about this course