#United States #New York #coding education #Scratch #Mia & Codie

Scratch Partners with PBS to Enhance Early Childhood Coding Education through 'Mia & Codie'

In a significant move to foster coding skills in young children, Scratch, recognized as the world’s largest creative learning platform for kids, has announced its new sponsorship of the beloved PBS series, Mia & Codie. This partnership aims to introduce early childhood coding concepts to American families, thereby nurturing the next generation of tech-savvy learners.

PBS's Mia & Codie is a vibrant educational show that engages children aged 3 to 7 by blending storytelling with fundamental coding principles. Scratch's involvement promises to elevate this educational experience further. As part of the partnership, Scratch is launching the Mia & Codie Dock-n-Blocks Set (Family Edition), available exclusively on the Scratch website. Initially designed as a classroom resource, this family-focused version enables parents to introduce coding at home.

Introducing the Dock-n-Blocks Set

The Dock-n-Blocks Set is carefully crafted to transform screen time into interactive learning opportunities. It simplifies complex coding concepts into easy-to-understand formats, eliminating the need for reading or coding experience. Children can effortlessly navigate activities that teach essential skills such as debugging, sequencing, and logical thinking, all through fun and explorative play.

In use, children arrange colorful blocks on a physical dock, guiding their characters in the accompanying app—mirroring the actions seen in the Mia & Codie television episodes. This integration not only enhances the educational impact but also aligns with the show's engaging narrative, which has won praise for its appropriateness and storytelling from parents on platforms like Common Sense Media.

Dr. Margaret Honey, the President and CEO of Scratch Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration:

"We’re incredibly excited to support Mia & Codie, a show that brings curiosity, creativity, and early problem-solving to life for young children. By pairing this sponsorship with the launch of the Dock-n-Blocks (Family Edition), we give families both an inspiring on-screen experience and a hands-on way to explore coding at home. It’s a powerful combination that helps kids build confidence and foundational computational thinking skills through play."

The Dock-n-Blocks Set is priced at $99.00 USD and includes:

• - A physical dock
• - 15 interactive blocks
• - A USB-C charging cable
• - A carrying case
• - Access to an app featuring 40 levels of coding challenges and 20 full animated episodes of Mia & Codie

This comprehensive kit serves as a gateway for families to introduce STEM education into their everyday activities, fostering an interactive learning environment right at home.

Learning Through Play

The educational benefits of the Dock-n-Blocks extend beyond just coding basics. By playing with the blocks, children naturally develop critical thinking skills and creativity. The combination of tactile and digital play allows kids to explore coding concepts in an enjoyable way, ensuring that they remain engaged and excited about learning.

The Mia & Codie initiative showcases clear advantages for early learners, demonstrating that coding can be fun and accessible regardless of previous knowledge. It reinforces STEM learning in a way that is developmentally appropriate for young kids.

As a legacy of encouraging creativity in education, Scratch continues to pave the way for future generations. This partnership with PBS is another step towards making coding and tech-related concepts accessible and enjoyable for all, starting from a very young age. Parents looking to support their children's early education now have an exciting opportunity to engage with them in technology and coding with Scratch’s innovative Dock-n-Blocks set.

Visit Scratch's website to learn more about the Mia & Codie Dock-n-Blocks Set and how you can help inspire the coder within your child today!