Robotics for Young Children: Stem Activities and Simple Coding

Ann Gadzikowski is the director of early learning for Encyclopedia Britannica, and is the author of curriculum books, teaching guides, classroom readers, and numerous publications for parents of young children. Her book Creating a Beautiful Mess: Ten Essential Play Experiences for a Joyous Childhood won gold in the 2015 National Parenting Publications Awards, and her book Robotics for Young Children won the 2018 Midwest Book Awards.

Many early childhood professionals are unfamiliar with computer science, robotics, and engineering concepts. This user-friendly and accessible book gives teachers great ideas for engaging young children with 100 exciting, hands-on computer science and engineering activities.

Table of ContentsIntroductionSimone and the evil robotWhy robots matterPowerful ideasThe innovation economyComputer science as a core subject areaComputer science learning standardsRelationship-based roboticsConstructivism & Developmentally Appropriate PracticeGive me back my caps!Basic terms and conceptsHow to use this bookThe hundred languages of childrenThe important thing about robotsWhat is a robot?The important thing about robotsActivity 1.1: Famous robotsActivity 1.2: Machine facesActivity 1.3: Make a robot faceActivity 1.4: Talk like a robotActivity 1.5: Robot dance partyActivity 1.6: Robot picture booksActivity 1.7: Take apart a machine or robotActivity 1.8: Clay robotsActivity 1.9: What is metal?Activity 1.10: Magnets -- Is it metal?Activity 1.11: Build with "metal" blocksActivity 1.12: Robots in real lifeActivity 1.13: Be the boss of a robotActivity 1.14: Is this a robot?Activity 1.15: Robot dramatic playActivity 1.16: Questions about robotsHow do we build robots?A robot case studyActivity 2.1: Robot free playActivity 2.2: Real or robot?Activity 2.3: Compare robot to robot Activity 2.4: Robot hospitalActivity 2.5: Robot take apartsActivity 2.6: Electron gameActivity 2.7: Power conversations Activity 2.8: Things that light upActivity 2.9: Circuit setsActivity 2.10: Simple machinesActivity 2.11: Daisy's Wild RideActivity 2.12: RampsActivity 2.13: Marble runsActivity 2.14: WheelsActivity 2.15: Study a bicycleActivity 2.16: GearsActivity 2.17: Design ThinkingActivity 2.18: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley SpiresActivity 2.19: Kinesthetic car washActivity 2.20: Water table car washActivity 2.21: Car wash made of blocksActivity 2.22: The domino effectActivity 2.23: Rube Goldberg contraptionActivity 2.24: Trouble shooting with Rosie RevereActivity 2.25: Mistake party!How do we tell robots what to do?Developing spatial intelligenceActivity 3.1: Checkerboard playActivity 3.2: The big gridActivity 3.3: Follow the arrowsActivity 3.4: Map booksActivity 3.5: Meet the Bee-BotsActivity 3.6: Bee-Bot hokey pokeyActivity 3.7: Turn round and roundActivity 3.8: Create a pathActivity 3.9: Follow a friendActivity 3.10: Invent a programming languageActivity 3.11: Synchronize!Activity 3.12: Bee-Bot danceActivity 3.13: Make a gridActivity 3.14: Meet CubettoActivity 3.15: The function blockActivity 3.16: Code-a-pillarActivity 3.17: Robot Turtle gameActivity 3.18: Program your parentsActivity 3.19: Pattern blocksActivity 3.20: People patternsActivity 3.21: Arrow signsActivity 3.22: Rebus storiesActivity 3.23: Daisy the DinosaurActivity 3.24: KodableActivity 3.25: Scratch JrActivity 3.26: Other appsActivity 3.27: Build your codeHow do robots help us?Imagining a better worldActivity 4.1: Robot helpers Activity 4.2: Robot petsActivity 4.3: Robot doctorsActivity 4.4: Robot armActivity 4.5: Yuck!Activity 4.6: Robot carActivity 4.7: Fast & fasterActivity 4.8: Robot directionsActivity 4.9: Brave robotsActivity 4.10: Robot friendsActivity 4.11: Sensors - How robots seeActivity 4.12: Flying robotsActivity 4.13: What is a drone?Activity 4.14: Swimming robotsActivity 4.15: Robots in spaceActivity 4.16: Robot wishesHow can we learn more about robots?Robotics learning in elementary school and beyondActivity 5.1: Scratch animationActivity 5.2: HopscotchActivity 5.3: Digital game designActivity 5.4: Hour of CodeActivity 5.5: Code.orgActivity 5.6: Artificial intelligenceActivity 5.7: Web designActivity 5.8: LEGO WeDo & EV3Activity 5.9: LEGO LeagueActivity 5.10: Maker spacesActivity 5.11: Ready, set, designActivity 5.12: Interview a robot expertActivity 5.13: Visit a science museumActivity 5.14: Visit a robotics labActivity 5.15: Follow a robot blogActivity 5.16: Girls in STEMRecommended resourcesPicture booksSTEM resourcesRobotics resourcesCoding resourcesResources for parentsGlossary of key terms