Here it is: summertime. A time when many adults are wondering how they’re going to keep children engaged and entertained during all of those free hours. Whether you are a speech-language pathologist (SLP) providing services as part of Extended School Year (ESY), or a parent with your own child to amuse, a new trend could be just what you need: coding for kids.

Many schools are jumping on the computer programming bandwagon and offering children the chance to learn basic coding skills. But, with schools still reeling from the Great Recession, many kids might not have access to such classes yet. No worries. You can easily include coding in speech therapy to target expressive language or introduce it to your own child with some great mobile and web apps. No need to worry if you don’t know anything about computer programming; these activities are kid-friendly and easy to use. Don’t be surprised if your students or children teach you!

Here are some great resources to try:

Daisy the Dinosaur (for iPad, available on the App Store; free)

• Children learn the basics of computer programming by dragging and dropping commands to make Daisy move across the screen. Basic concepts such as objects, sequencing, loops, and events can be learned.

My Robot Friend (for iPhone and iPad, available on the App Store; $3.99)

• Children use logic, problem solving, and math skills to direct their robot through 80 levels of play to defeat Fat Cat. They earn incentives for creating efficient programs. (Recommended for ages 7 and up)

LEGO Mindstorms Fix the Factory (for iPhone and iPad, available on the App Store; free)

• Children develop logic and spatial intelligence as they command their robot to move through the maze to relocate battery packs in the factory. Obstacles challenge children while cool graphics and a robotic soundtrack make the game fun. (Recommended for ages 8 and up)

Move the Turtle. Programming For Kids (for iPhone and iPad, available on the App Store; $2.99)

• Children learn the basics of computer programming using graphic commands. By completing different tasks within the game, children learn how to tackle complex tasks and reuse their work in new ways. (Recommended for ages 9-11)

Hopscotch, Programming Designed for Everyone: coding for kids (for iPad, available on the App Store; free)

• Children develop problem solving and critical thinking skills as they program characters to move, draw, and interact with each other. Using their imaginations, kids can create their own worlds. (Recommended for ages 8 and up)

Code Academy (on the Web at www.codeacademy.com; for iPhone and iPad, available on the App Store; free)

• In the app, learn the basic concepts of mobile software and websites with quick, fun exercises. On the website, there are interactive modules that take the user through a given programming language (such as Javascript).

Khan Academy (on the Web at www.khanacademy.org; for iPhone and iPad, available on the App Store; free)

• Offers downloadable videos and articles with information on computer programming. (Recommended for K-12)

And here are some ways to target expressive language skills in conjunction with the coding activities:

• Ask the student to explain to you how he/she gave commands to produce an action within the app. For example, in Daisy the Dinosaur, you might ask the student to explain the series of commands he/she used to make Daisy perform a series of movements.
• Ask the student to evaluate the app or website. He/she could explain what he/she learned, most enjoyed, and does not yet understand.
• Ask the student to describe what he/she has created. For example, if he/she created a world within the app Hopscotch, the student could take you on a tour of the world, describing elements along the way.

Blog image from Stephen Chin, Silicon Valley Code Camp