Move the Turtle. Learn to code

Move the Turtle. Programming for Kids is an educational app that teaches kids the basics of computer programming, or coding. Built within a colorful game starring a cute turtle, it's geared toward younger users, but older kids who have no knowledge of coding can get a lot out of it, too. The learning game is organized in chapters, which kids can progress through as they learn a new skill and earn a star. Earning a certain number of stars unlocks the next chapter. If kids want to challenge themselves outside of the progressive lessons, they can access a list of more than 20 "projects," such as making the turtle move to draw a fixed-size equilateral triangle on the screen, or drawing a variable-size circle. As kids read the instructions and try to complete the task requested for moving the turtle on the screen, the app provides feedback if they aren't doing it correctly. It will provide hints and ask kids if they want to start over. Kids can also hop back and forth between completed lessons if they want to review or gain further mastery in a skill. Move the Turtle is one of the few apps that does a good job helping kids learn some coding basics. Younger kids will definitely require help at first from an engaged teacher or older student who's familiar with coding, but once they get the hang of the system of coding, the clear icon directions will allow them to carry on learning on their own.

Its developer says Move the Turtle. Programming for Kids is made for kids age 5 and up to learn coding, but that may be a stretch. Unless you have some kindergarten or first-grade students who are advanced learners in the areas of spatial skills and following multi-step directions, this app is better suited for kids who are comfortable readers, who have some knowledge of graphing, and who are well-practiced in following multi-step directions. Still, if teachers of younger students want to introduce coding through very guided lessons, even young students can learn the basics with Move the Turtle. Step-by-step programming requires lots of critical thinking, and kids are creating digital content. There's also some geometry (shapes), graphing, and measurement learning within the coding process. If Move the Turtle included more specific instructions, more explanations, and some audio prompts, it could be an even more effective and fun learning tool for more kids within that broad age range.