For kids aged 5-7, ScratchJr is a delightful introduction to the world of programming, where they can drag colorful blocks to create programs and bring characters to life with movement and fun actions!
ScratchJr is an engaging, introductory programming language designed specifically for young children aged 5 and up. It empowers them to craft their own interactive stories and games by snapping together graphical programming blocks. This simple yet powerful tool allows kids to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. They can personalize their creations by editing characters in the paint editor, adding their voices and sounds, or even inserting photos of themselves. Then, using the programming blocks, they can animate their characters, turning their ideas into vibrant, interactive projects.
Inspired by the widely-used Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu) for older kids (ages 8 and up), ScratchJr has been thoughtfully adapted to be developmentally appropriate for younger children. The interface and programming language have been redesigned to align with the cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development stages of young learners.
We view coding, or computer programming, as a new form of literacy. Just as writing helps you organize thoughts and express ideas, coding does the same. Historically considered too complex for the average person, we believe coding should be accessible to everyone, much like writing.
As children engage with ScratchJr, they're not just learning to code; they're coding to learn. They develop skills in problem-solving, project design, and sequencing, which are crucial for future academic success. Additionally, they apply math and language skills in a fun and motivating context, fostering early numeracy and literacy development.
ScratchJr is the result of a collaboration between the Developmental Technologies group at Tufts University, the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, and the Playful Invention Company. Two Sigma spearheaded the Android version's development, while HvingtQuatre Company and Sarah Thomson provided the charming graphics and illustrations.
If you enjoy using this free app, please consider making a donation to the Scratch Foundation (http://www.scratchfoundation.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting ScratchJr. Every donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated.
This version of ScratchJr is optimized for tablets that are 7 inches or larger and run Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or higher.
For more details, please review our Terms of Use: http://www.scratchjr.org/eula.html
What's New in the Latest Version 1.5.11
Last updated on Nov 28, 2023
We've made minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to explore these enhancements!
