Introducing children to coding in a digital world is critical for their future success. While there are many excellent programming systems available, codeSpark Academy can be considered a leader, as well as one of the best places where coding can be learned through a gamified learning experience, in an age-appropriate way, for children between the ages of 5-9).
What is codeSpark academy
codeSpark Academy is an award-winning educational app that teaches children computer science through interactive educational games and activities. The company’s curriculum is grounded in research from MIT, Princeton and Carnegie Mellon and emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and systematic thinking.
Key features
No Words: codeSpark’s app has no words and is perfect for pre-readers since children can follow visual clues with engaging animations. Because of this, every child can use the app, regardless of their reading ability.
Self-Paced: Children can work through 12 self-paced learning lessons in the coding classes , allowing each child to move at their own pace, and return to re-learn coding concepts when needed.
Game/Story Creation: In addition to learning to code, kids have the opportunity to create their own games and stories, which can encourage creativity and help solidify coding concepts.
Offline Activities: A great part of the program involves a digital workbook that provides more than 50 pages of coding activities, that can be used to expand the learning experience without digital screen time.
Safe: The safe community feature is always reassuring for parents, since everything created and shared has a moderator reviewing all content you see shared before it goes live.
Pricing and Accessibility
codeSpark Academy offers a 7-day free trial, after which subscriptions are priced at
$9.99 per month or
$79.99 annually. Each subscription allows access for up to three children, making it a cost-effective solution for families .
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Interactive, game-based learning style.
Great for non-readers and early learners.
Encourages creativity through game and story creation.
Promotes creativity in both game creation and story creation.
Cons:
Some users reported sporadic tech issues and lackluster customer service.
Parents may need to assist young children through some activities.
Final Thoughts
codeSpark Overall, codeSpark Academy proves to be great for introducing kids to the world of coding. The combination of education content with interactive gameplay makes for a successful and enjoyable learning experience.
The system has room for improvement in a few areas, particularly customer service, but it does provide an adequate experience to give early learners a foundation in coding. For parents and educators looking for a complete, children-friendly approach to coding, codeSpark Academy’s approach is a good recommendation.
