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Robot Building and Coding for kids

Robot building and coding and programming are two activities that are becoming increasingly popular among kids, and for good reason. Not only are they fun and engaging, but they also provide a number of benefits that can help kids develop important skills for the future.

First, let’s talk about robot building

When kids build robots, they are engaging in hands-on learning that allows them to apply concepts they have learned in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes. For example, they can learn about how gears and motors work, how to use sensors, and how to program their robot to perform specific tasks. This hands-on learning approach is more effective than traditional classroom learning because it allows kids to see the practical application of what they have learned. This is why we focus so much on hands-on activities and project-based learning and exploration at CodeREV STEM Camps.

gorls building robots

In addition, robot building helps kids develop problem-solving skills. Building a robot requires kids to think critically and creatively to solve problems that arise during the building process. For example, they might have to figure out how to make their robot move in a straight line or how to make it respond to certain sensors. By working through these challenges, kids learn how to break down problems into smaller parts, think logically, and come up with creative solutions.

Another great thing about robot building is that it helps kids develop teamwork skills. Often, kids work in groups to build robots, like campers do at CodeREV STEM Camps, which means they have to communicate effectively, share ideas, and collaborate to achieve a common goal. This is a valuable skill that will serve them well in the future, whether they pursue a career in STEM or not.

Now let’s talk about coding and programming

Coding and programming are essential skills for the future, as technology is clearly becoming an increasingly important part of our lives. By learning how to code, kids can create interactive games, animations, and other digital projects. They can also create programs that can solve problems, such as sorting a list of numbers or analyzing data.

Coding also helps kids develop problem-solving skills, just like robot building. When kids code, they have to think critically and creatively to solve problems that arise during the coding process. For example, they might have to figure out how to make a character move in a game or how to make a program respond to user input. By working through these challenges, kids learn how to break down problems into smaller parts, think logically, and come up with creative solutions.

kids coding at camp

Another great thing about coding and programming is that it helps kids develop computational thinking skills. Computational thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down a problem into smaller parts, creating a plan to solve the problem, and testing the plan to see if it works. This is an essential skill for the future, as more and more jobs require the ability to work with complex data and solve problems using technology.

Additionally, coding and programming help kids develop CREATIVITY. With coding, kids can create their own games, animations and digital projects, they can express themselves in unique ways and turn their imagination into reality. It also helps them in understanding the logic behind digital products and how they are made, which in return can help them in creating better designs and products. Thus, turning our kids into active creators (rather than passive consumers)!

In conclusion

Finally, coding and programming can help kids develop persistence and determination. Learning to code can be challenging, and kids will inevitably encounter problems and errors along the way. However, by learning to persist in the face of these challenges, kids can develop determination and a “can-do” attitude that will serve them well in the future.

In conclusion, robot building and coding and programming are two activities that are not only fun and engaging for kids but also provide a number of benefits that can help kids develop important skills for the future. From hands-on learning, problem-solving, teamwork, computational thinking, creativity, persistence, and determination, these activities offer a wealth of opportunities for kids to learn and grow while helping them prepare for the future.

Coding Curriculum, Coding Education

Best coding languages for kids

Since technology has become present in our lives, dominating coding languages has become a need for adults and children. Indeed, programming for youngsters is turning into an undeniably necessary subject. Learning how to code at a young age can genuinely set your kid up for success. They don’t just develop basic coding skills, but skills for the rest of their life.

Today, even kindergartners can start exploring different coding languages that fit their age needs. Learning code abilities at a young age will impact their development in STEM, and so forth, in their future careers. Also, studies have shown that coding reinforces skills like problem solving, logic, creativity and critical thinking. 

A parent’s guide to coding languages

Programming is the language of the future and learning how to effectively use it is easier than it looks. First of all, you should know that there are a huge amount of coding languages for kids to start with. Scratch, Java, Python, some forms of JavaScript, and Lua are probably the best, and most known, coding languages to begin with for kids. 

In any case, each coding language has its own working framework, style and expected use. But in general, these languages show kids how to track down an answer for an issue using an arrangement of steps, activities or directions. 

Generally, children tend to quickly become familiar with coding languages designed for them. Kids learn better through visual boost and this is the reason why graphical programming programs turn out better for beginners. Once children understand fundamental coding concepts, they can move to text-based programming languages  (line coding) and learn the syntax of various programming languages.

But, how to choose the best coding language for your child? 

It might be hard to decide the best way to introduce your child to code. That’s why we made our top 3 of what we consider the best coding languages for kids! Check it out with us, and feel free to ask us any questions you have to help you choose the best coding class for your child.

Scratch

Scratch is a free educational programming language developed by Mitch Resnick and patented by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Learning to code with Scratch is easy for kids because of it’s intuitive, easy-to-use visual block interface. This makes it an amazing starting point for kids to start connecting with code.

Best Coding Languages for Kids: Scratch

The simplification of the process of designing games and creating stories and their big online community makes Scratch the perfect coding language to introduce your child to code from ages 6 to 16.

Lua

Lua is the perfect coding language to introduce children to text-based code since it’s easy to learn, use, and embed into applications. The power of Lua coding is that with a beginner-friendly language, it introduces simple concepts that can turn into greater creations.

Best codinga languages for kids_lua
Best Coding Languages for Kids: Lua

In addition to its simplicity and efficiency, Lua is used by Roblox which is a game platform adored by kids. Learning to code with Lua in Roblox, allows kids to create exciting and fun games that they can share with all their friends. 

Java

Java is one of the most used coding languages in the world. Gmail, by Google, and Twitter, for example, were created in Java, as well as one of the most popular computer games nowadays: Minecraft! If your child is into Minecraft, Java can be a great programming language to create with.

Java gives a richer insight of coding as it’s designed to continue developing over the years. Although it’s harder to learn because of its variables, Java catches children’s excitement as it is widely used to make video games and mobile apps. It is also a great entry level object oriented programming language, typically focused on CS programs later in school. Its scalability makes it perfect for kids from 10 to 16.

These days, learning to code is a priceless and useful skill for kids. Understanding how something works, how to solve problems and being able to create new scenarios has a myriad of benefits for budding young programmers.. Regardless of the age of your child, there’s a perfect coding language they can start exploring to open a world of opportunities. Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions? If so, we’d love to hear from you! 

Coding Curriculum

Your Kids Deserve Cutting Edge Curriculum and We Provide It

When you choose CodeREV Kids for your children, we take that trust seriously. We want every student to get an exceptional education, for them to have a great experience, and for you to feel 100% confident that you’re choosing the right option for them. That’s why we put so much time and care into creating a curriculum we can be proud of.

We focus on fun and education

Who says something has to either be fun or be education? We sure don’t! We believe that STEM is important for kids and we believe we can make it fun for them to learn. Of course, we also make sure that our curriculum isn’t just good enough for us. We have actually had it supported by experts in education at both the MIT Media Lab and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

A low student to teacher ratio is important to us

There are many things that go into creating incredible tech camps for kids, including the ability for students to get as much help as they want. We work to keep the number of students to teachers as low as possible. This gives us the chance to make every learning experience as individualized as possible and to ensure that every student gets what they need. Our ratios are between 5-8 to 1 for every class.

Your students are safe with us

There are a lot of reasons that coding is important for kids, but if you don’t feel confident in who you’re sending your kids to, then you’re not going to send them here. That’s why we are sure to hold our camps at schools. This gives you the peace of mind that they’re in a safe environment. What’s more, we do fingerprint background checks for every single member of our staff. We also ensure that we have several instructors at each of our locations that has CPR certification. Your child is important to us!

Your student will do more than just sit behind a computer

In this day and age, many parents understand that tech is more and more important every year, but they also wish their kids spent more time outside playing. At CodeREV Kids, we’ve found unique ways to accomplish both objectives. We have some great outdoor activities that will help boost their team-building skills and give them a chance to run and play and have fun. For example, during a full camp day, there are four break times each day.

Coding Curriculum

Why Should You Choose CodeREV Kids Camps Over Other Coding Camps?

It wasn’t long ago that there were no coding options for kids at all, let alone camps. Today, more and more school districts are beginning to understand how important coding is, kids are becoming interested in it an earlier age, and there are more and more coding camp options like the ones offered by CodeREV Kids. We welcome the competition because we want kids to have as much access to these technology classes as possible – and because we know we’re the right choice.

Our staff is second to none

One of the things we really pride ourselves on at CodeREV Kids is the fact that we hire only the best. Our hiring process is extremely rigorous and our training process is too. Every mentor we employ has at least two years of experience teaching kids technology, and some of our staff have more than 13 years of experience.

Each mentor must also have at least one year of experience in the real world – specifically in the tech sector. Our mentors come from many different companies, including Riot Games, Microsoft, Google, EA, Sony, Sega, and many others. We stress to our instructors that working as a mentor for us is not just a job they take on for the summer – it’s a great way for them to share what they’ve learned with kids who are eager to learn. Our mentors take this seriously and you’ll see the effect in every classroom.

We have the best curriculum

Not only do we work to find the best instructors in the business, but we have created what we believe is the hands-down best curriculum out there. It can be challenging to make classes like these both fun and education, but we’ve done just that. Our goal is to strengthen STEM skills and our curriculum has been supported by the big wigs, including specialists at MIT Media Lab and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

While it’s true that we take our jobs seriously and we want to create the best camps out there with the best educational content, don’t worry – that doesn’t mean we forgot to bring the fun! Our camps are project based, which means that kids get hands-on experience and get to create their own projects, ranging from simple coding to robots to digital art.

Are you ready to see the difference that our passion can make? Then reach out to CodeREV Kids

Coding Education

CodeREV Kids Spring Camps Are Just Around the Corner

We’re excited about our upcoming spring camps and look forward to seeing kids returning and our newest additions too. If you have questions about the possibilities, be sure to reach out to us. We offer a wide range of coding classes, from camps to at-their-own-pace classes. We believe strongly that every kid can learn to code and we’re here to help!

Spring camp dates

We have several locations with spring camps and they all run from March 27th through April 14th. Note that these are three separate class groups. The first meets on March 27th through March 31st, the second meets April 3rd through April 8th, and the final session is April 10th through April 14th.

Choose a half day or full day

When you sign up, you can decide if you want your kids to come to us for a full day or a half day. The full day begins at 9 AM and is over at 4 PM and the half day begins at 9 AM and ends at 12:30 PM. Note that kids get to bring their own lunches and snacks to ensure everyone gets what they want and can easily accommodate their own food sensitivities or allergies.

Pricing and locations for spring coding camps

The price of the camp you choose will vary based on whether or not you want a half day or full day, and whether or not you want to bring your kid the entire day. On a per-day basis it’s $60 for a half day and $110 for a full day, while a full week is $540. We’re going to have four locations available in several cities: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Irvine, and San Diego.

There are numerous classes in both the micro and macro options

Our grouping is as follows. We have micro classes with 6 and 7 year olds and with 8 and 9 year olds. Our macro classes are broken into 10 to 12 year olds and 12 to 14 year olds. The micro classes are offered in three options, including Minecraft level design, Adventures in Programming, and MathCraft. Macro course options include Modding in Minecraft and Game Development.

Do you have questions about these or other coding classes offered by CodeREV Kids? Feel free to reach out to us and we can work to find you the right classes for your kids.

Coding Curriculum

What to Look for in a Successful Coding Class

If you’ve been thinking of sending your kids to a California coding class then you’ve likely wondered how to choose the right option. At CodeREV, we want every parent to know exactly how to determine the best coding classes for their kids. Here are some of the criteria we recommend you consider.

Are the classes designed by teachers?

It takes a special overlap of talents to create a unique program that will keep kids interested and impart the information that’s needed. We have struck the right cord by hiring creative folks, education folks, and educators who have decades of combined experience. We know how kids learn and we know what they need to know about coding.

What’s their reputation?

Before you choose a coding class, take a moment and simply search the company you’re considering. What do reviewers say about them? What have kids have to say about them? It’s likely unreasonable to find a company that’s never had a negative review but if you see the same complaint over and over again then it’s likely the company you’re considering isn’t the right fit.

Do they make learning fun or is it a chore?

One of the great things about teaching kids coding is that most kids are naturally drawn to it. They like technology, they like video games, and they like hands-on learning. All of this combines to create a love of coding pretty easily. However, some coding classes may rely too heavily on instruction rather than hands-on instruction. We always strive to keep kids involved and make it as fun as possible so they’ll look forward to coming to us for coding classes.

Does it offer a good value?

Teaching your kid to code can be one of the best investments you ever make. With most any job now relying on technology, teaching your kids the basics of coding is a great idea in and of itself, but when you consider that it also boosts confidence, improves problem solving, and teachers critical thinking skills, it’s easy to see that the value in coding classes is a long-term value.

If you have any questions about our classes, we encourage you to reach out to us. We offer both group classes and self-paced options. We are here to help your child find their love of coding and we hope you’ll trust us with this important work.

Coding Education

What’s the CodeREV Difference?

At CodeREV Kids, we’re excited to see that coding camps and coding classes for kids are popping up all over the country. While we think that virtually any introduction to coding is a good thing, we also want to point out why we think our classes and camps are unique. Here are some of the things you can count on when you bring your kids to us. Feel free to give us a call if you have additional questions – or sign up for classes online!

Our classes are taught by real programmers who have teaching experience

Some of the classes out there are taught by either programmers who know their jobs every well but aren’t familiar with the best ways to teach, or teachers who are excellent at their jobs but don’t have an advanced understanding of the subject matter. At CodeREV Kids, we think it’s important to have both. That’s why our instructors are programmers who also have teaching experience.

Our student to teacher ratio is low

It’s no surprise that the fewer kids there are in a particular class, the more attention they can get and the more likely they will be to feel supported by the teaching staff. You’ll find many of our classes with a maximum of five students to every one teacher. We always tell you what the student to teacher ratio will be so you can choose a class that gives your child the attention they deserve.

Our curriculum is designed by the best

When you trust your kids with us for coding classes, you’re not just taking them to a camp run by tech geeks who are winging it. No, o we use a curriculum that was designed with world class education experts as well as professional developers. We’ve done our best to give you the best of both worlds.

Your child can find a class that’s suited to their level

You don’t want your child who’s never coded a thing in their life to walk into a classroom with advanced students, and you don’t want your advanced student to get bored while an instructor explains the basics. That’s why we have a wide range of classes that offer enough variety that every child can find the level they’re suited for.

If you want your child to learn how to code in an environment that’s ripe with the latest technology – including virtual reality – then it’s time you seriously considered CodeREV Kids.

Coding Curriculum

Does Your School Need Help Setting Up Coding Classes for Kids?

At CodeREV Kids, our goal is to help kids learn coding. It’s as simple as that! In some cases, the best way to do that is to incorporate coding into the classroom. We offer several coding programs for schools that can help get these programs up and running.

In-school programs

With the in-school program, we offer a trained instructor who has both coding and teaching experience to your school. The instructor will be at your school for a full day, and it can be anywhere from just one day a week to five days a week. It’s all up to each school’s preferences. The curriculum we provide is designed to be fun and to cover every step kids need to learn robotics, game development, programming, and more. Kids have a great time but our programs also help boost confidence, problem-solving skills, creativity, and more!

After-school program

Our after-school program can stand alone as a new program at your school or it can be implemented within an existing after-school program you have. All we need is a computer lab and we’ll bring the rest! This creative programs we offer encourage collaboration and teach kids about coding through hands-on activities, brainstorming sessions, and group discussions.

For these after-school programs, we’ve partnered with schools all across the state of California for kids everywhere from kindergarten to 10th grade. If you school needs an additional technology curriculum then you should give us a call! We work to utilize common care standards in our classes and can even gear programs toward science and math goals.

Customized curriculum

When it comes to customized curriculum, you call the shots. We can do anything from turnkey customization to an as-needed curriculum. Our technology teachers will come to work onsite at your school weekly and act as the main instructor of a class, or they can work in conjunction with your computer lab instructor. It’s all up to you!

On the other hand, if you’d rather just teach the programs we’ve come up with, then we’ll work with your school to find a subscription basis that works for everyone. We’ll offer our curriculum and our program, along with training with your instructors, for whatever elements of our curriculum you decide to use in your school. This allows for total customization.

If you’re interested in getting your students more involved in technology and / or coding then your next phone call should be to CodeREV Kids.

Education

Self-Learning Vs Guidance: Which is Best for Your Child?

At CodeREV Kids, we work tirelessly to stay up to date on the latest information on the science behind how children learn. In some circles, there’s quite a bit of debate about which is better – letting a child learn on their own or guiding their learning process. We actually believe that neither is. Instead, a combined approach is most likely to work in the long term.

Consider this example

One of the best ways we can make this point is by giving you an example. Imagine that a child who’s never played golf is handed a golf club. They’re then told to spend half an hour practicing their swing. Once the half hour is over, a professional comes over and tells them what they’ve been doing wrong. It may be great that they eventually got guidance, but you must also consider that they’ve just spent thirty minutes teaching themselves the wrong way to swing a club.

There are limitations to self-learning

At CodeREV Kids, we believe the right way to handle this issue is by finding a balance. That’s why we offer coding classes that have plenty of instruction, but also give kids a chance to explore on their own. Our teachers are there not just to tell children what to do, but to inspire and challenge them. Your child will learn exactly how coding is done and will do it themselves.

Balance is easier in small groups

One of the reasons we’re able to find a balance that works for our kids is that we don’t have huge classes. With a small class size, we can instruct on the basics, go through an example together, and then give kids free reign to practice on their own. When they encounter a problem, they can let us know right away. In some cases we’ll give them instructions on how to get past their obstacle, while in other situations we’ll encourage them to learn the right way through trial and error.

There is no one-size-fits-all coding class

In addition to offer small class sizes, we also offer an alternative schedule of classes that works at your child’s pace. Whether your child takes a little longer to grasp concepts, or they race right through them, these classes give them the opportunity to find the right pace. At CodeREV Kids, we believe strongly that teaching kids to code is teaching them to be ready for their future.

Coding Education

Not All Coding Classes Are Created Equal

There’s plenty of information out there about the advantages of getting kids involved in coding but don’t make the mistake of assuming that any coding class is as good as another. At CodeREV Kids, we take care to ensure that our classes are the best you’ll find anywhere. Here are some factors to consider if you’re comparing your options.

Learning should be personal

Learning doesn’t happen magically just because a kids sits in a class, opens a book, or completes a task. Learning is a personal process and your child doesn’t have the exact same needs as anyone else. That’s why we offer a wide range of coding classes, including Online Classes that allow your child to learn at their own pace. You want the best solution for your child and so do we!

We use technology in innovative ways

Kids growing up in today’s world speak tech as a first language. Often they’ve been typing on keyboards and swiping screens for many years before they get to us. That’s why we believe that the best way to get them involved in STEM learning is by engaging them with technology. We have unique web portals, including a wide range of Minecraft servers, that help them learn in ways that they’re actually excited to learn in.

Kids need a balance between guidance and practice

Think about this situation: Someone walks up to you, gives you a golf club, and asks you to swing for half an hour. At the end of that 30 minutes, a teacher comes up and tells you what you’ve been doing incorrectly. While it may have seemed useful to spend those 30 minutes practicing, in the end you were simply teaching yourself to swing in the wrong way.

You can see with this example that self-learning has limits. At CodeREV Kids, we’re always looking for ways to find the perfect balance between helping your child build self-confidence and ensuring we’re helping as much as we can. Our teachers aren’t just there to instruct – they’re also working hard every day to inspire and challenge every student.

When your child comes to us, they’ll get hands-on experience along with time to practice on their own. We offer a low stress, small group teaching environment where your child can master concepts with a minimum of frustration – all while they’re building their self-confidence and their problem-solving skills.