For Kids aged 5-7. Drag colorful blocks to create programs and make characters move!
ScratchJr is a beginner-friendly programming language designed specifically for young children aged 5 and above. It empowers them to craft their own interactive stories and games by snapping together graphical programming blocks. These blocks allow characters to perform actions like moving, jumping, dancing, and singing. Kids can further personalize their creations using the paint editor, adding their voices and sounds, or even incorporating photos of themselves. With ScratchJr, children bring their characters to life through coding.
Inspired by the widely-used Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu), which is popular among older kids (ages 8 and up), ScratchJr was developed with a focus on younger audiences. The interface and programming language were carefully tailored to align with the cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development stages of young children.
We view coding as a new form of literacy, akin to writing, which helps organize thoughts and express ideas. Historically, coding has been considered challenging, but we believe it should be accessible to everyone, just as writing is.
When children engage with ScratchJr, they not only interact with the computer but also create and express themselves through it. This process fosters problem-solving skills, project design, and the development of sequencing abilities, which are crucial for future academic achievements. Additionally, ScratchJr integrates math and language in a fun and engaging way, enhancing early numeracy and literacy skills. Thus, with ScratchJr, kids are not just learning to code; they're coding to learn.
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 development of the Android version, while HvingtQuatre Company and Sarah Thomson contributed the graphics and illustrations.
If you appreciate using this free app, consider supporting the Scratch Foundation (http://www.scratchfoundation.org), a nonprofit that sustains ScratchJr. We welcome donations of any amount.
Please note that this version of ScratchJr is compatible only with tablets that have a screen size of 7 inches or more and run on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or later.
For more information, see 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
This update includes minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to experience these enhancements!
