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Buy this book at Usborne Books and More or in local bookstores.
Quicklinks
Click on the links to get started with ScratchJr and to find out more about coding and computers, free apps, tips on screen time and online safety for children.
Getting started
Websites to visit
What is ScratchJr? Watch a short video and find out
How to get ScratchJr on your tablet (PDF)
Please note, the ScratchJr app no longer works on Kindle Fire 8 due to a compatibility issue. You can though use Scratch in a browser on the Kindle Fire.
Helpful reference guide to ScratchJr
Click on the numbers to find out what the icons do or click on "Tips & Hints" in the top menu for more information.
Visit the ScratchJr website for links to app stores
On your tablet, scroll down to find the app store for your device.
Coding and computers
Websites to visit
Watch a video clip about computer programming and coding
Click on the play button.
Learn about programming, or coding, with cartoon characters
Find out how coding is used to make video games
Explore BBC Bitesize coding and computer learner guides
A useful collection of topics for children wanting to find out more, with simple facts, online challenges and video clips. (NB Videos may not be available where you are due to copyright restrictions.)
Free apps and games
Websites to visit
Khan Academy Kids app
Thousands of activities for kids ages two to six.
Peep and the Big Wide World apps
Read about the games, then search for them on your app store.
Toontastic (iOS only)
A storytelling tool to draw, animate, narrate and record your own cartoons.
CBeebies games and story apps
Cbeebies, from the BBC, may not be available where you are due to copyright restrictions.
Common Sense Media - educational apps, games and websites lists
NB Not all products are free. Filter the selection by choosing an age range next to "All ages".
Tech with Kids digital magazine reviews apps, websites and more
Choose a topic then use the filter menu to search by age, price and other details.
Child-friendly websites to explore
Websites to visit
Peep and the Big Wide World video clips and games
Meet lots of animals at the San Diego Zoo Kids website
Going further with Scratch
Scratch is similar to ScratchJr but has more blocks. It's free and works on all devices.
Websites to visit
Find out about coding with Scratch
Visit the Scratch website to try coding in Scratch
Click on "Try it out" then on the next screen, click on "Begin".
Usborne Coding for Beginners Using Scratch at Usborne Quicklinks
Find helpful advice about how to set up a Scratch account and lots of other tips and resources.
Online safety for children
Websites to visit
A video for kids to watch about online safety
What would you do if you got a message from someone you didn't know?
Try quizzes and activities after you watch the clip.
See what a young boy does when something goes wrong online
Find out more about the internet and how to stay safe online
Advice for adults
Websites to visit
Screen time advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Healthy media-use habits for babies, toddlers and preschoolers
Find out what screen time experts do with their own kids
For a test-yourself quiz, click on "What Kind of Screen Time Parent Are You?"
Watch a video with safety tips about under-fives using computers
For a clip on internet safety for children aged 6 to 10, click on the playlist.
Important!
Internet safety
Children, make sure you follow these three simple rules when using the internet:
- Always ask an adult's permission before using the internet.
- Never give out personal information, such as your name, address, school or telephone number.
- If a website asks you to type in your name or email address, check with an adult first.
For more tips, see Internet safety for children.
Adults - we recommend that children are supervised while on the internet. The content of a website may change at any time and Usborne Publishing is not responsible for content on sites other than its own.
For more on internet safety, see Internet advice for adults.
Using a tablet or smartphone?
Websites with interactive content may not work on your tablet or smartphone, but you can view them on a computer. Find out more…
About this book
Coding books for kids
My first computer coding book using ScratchJr
A fun, friendly guide to coding on a tablet computer using the free ScratchJR app. Discover how computers work and how to tell them what to do using code, then follow simple, step-by-step instructions to code stories and games including a fairy garden, a pet monster and a space game. Links to websites and helpful notes for grown-ups included!
Rosie Dickins
Rosie Dickins grew up in England and Hong Kong. An avid reader, she always loved making up her own stories. After studying literature at Oxford University, art in Paris and plenty of travelling, she settled in London, where she now works for Usborne Publishing. She has written over a hundred children's books, including award-winning non-fiction.
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Sound files
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