Coding Animals

Learn the basics of coding without the use of technology. Also practise spatial orientation and collaboration with this activity Coding Animals.

Coding animals incorporates two levels of assignment cards. Level 1 contains wooden animals to make the coding steps tangible. Level 2 contains a card with an arrow as support.

The starting position of the animals is determined by the direction their noses are pointing to. The animals are interconnected by roads. Every road has an obstacle, such as a mud puddle or a tree. These obstacles form part of the preconditions set out in the assignment. 

From left to right, the assignment cards indicate: the animal with which to start, the animal with which to end, and the preconditions for which roads to take. Use the cards with the arrows to mark the correct solution. As a result, the children have made their first programming code. 

The assignment cards have an increasing degree of difficulty and are self-monitoring. Ages 5yrs+.

Key Educational Benefits:

• Introduction to Computational Thinking. Children learn to break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps, a core principle of computational thinking. This process enhances their ability to approach problems methodically and logically.
• Enhances Logical Reasoning. Determining the correct sequence of movements for the animals, considering obstacles and directions, strengthens children's logical reasoning abilities. They practice sequencing, conditional logic, and decision-making.
• Develops Spatial Awareness. Navigating the animals along paths with obstacles improves spatial orientation skills. Children learn to visualize and manipulate objects in space, which is crucial for understanding geometry and navigation.
• Promotes Collaboration and Communication. Working in pairs or groups encourages children to discuss strategies, share ideas, and collaborate to find solutions. This fosters teamwork and enhances communication skills.
• Builds Persistence and Problem-Solving Skills. Facing challenges and obstacles requires children to persist and think critically to find solutions. This builds resilience and enhances their problem-solving capabilities.
• Supports Early STEM Education. By engaging in coding activities, children are introduced to basic concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This early exposure fosters interest and foundational understanding in these fields.

Contents:
2 Plastic Assignment Cards (2 levels)
6 Plastic Assignment Cards level 1
6 Wooden Animals
12 Plastic Assignment Cards level 2
Plastic card for assistance
16 Plastic Cards with arrow symbols
Wooden Box (33.5 x 22.5 x 7 cm)