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How to develop COMPUTATIONAL thinking for children

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How to develop computational thinking for children

Enhance the development of computational thinking It is an indispensable mental process for all children in today's information and knowledge society. Mainly, because mastering it will allow them adequately face your future work and, above all, it will give them the ability to be decisive on a day-to-day basis and in any area of ​​their lives.

In addition, it is a essential resource for any child, since the development of this type of thinking reduces the digital divide, helps their integration into today's society and facilitates the acquisition of many important transversal skills. Among them, critical thinking, adaptability, information management in different environments - such as interactive - and, of course, mastery of digital technologies themselves.

Therefore, although its development implies the approach of complex concepts, it also involves competencies that we use and develop in multiple areas of our daily lives. Which simplifies their teaching, through examples that children find simple and familiar.

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In this article by a teacher we will discover how to develop computational thinking for kids and we will analyze some resources that facilitate the teaching and understanding of computational thinking.

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What is computational thinking?

There are multiple definitions, but they all agree that his great goal is to solve problems. This is reflected, for example, by the description of computational thinking made by the International Society for Technology in Education (better known by its acronym, ISTE) and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA).

For these organisms, computational thinking is a troubleshooting process which includes, at least, the following features:

  • Formulation of problems in such a way that for their resolution it is possible to use a computer and other machines.
  • Logical organization and data analysis.
  • Data representation through abstractions such as models and simulations.
  • Automation of solutions through algorithmic thinking - understood as a series of discrete and ordered steps -.
  • Identification, analysis and implementation of possible solutions, in order to achieve the most effective and efficient combination of steps and resources.
  • Generalization and transfer of the problem solving process to a wide variety of situations.

This definition allows us to understand the different elements that make up computational thinking. But it is also important to understand that this type of thinking is not only used for problem solving with computer media, but also it can be used to solve others in very diverse areas.

In short, computational thinking allows children to learn to solve everyday problems, analyzing them, breaking down the process of solving them into small tasks, identifying patterns, following algorithms and detecting errors to repair them.

How To Develop Computational Thinking For Kids - What Is Computational Thinking?

In what activities of our day to day do we use computational thinking?

Computational thinking is based on reasoning to understand the problems and find the most efficient solutions. Therefore, it is essential that the exercises focused on developing this competence are based on the interaction with students, and that they are invited to continually reflect on the concepts they learn. And one of the best ways to do this is to use games and other resources that encourage their participation.

As computational thinking involves the development of several and very diverse skills, these can be used games and exercises to learn each one of them.

Here are some examples:

  • Logical thinking: Sudokus are an excellent resource to develop it.
  • Decomposition: both the analysis and the description of dance choreographies allow children to analyze the parts of an ensemble, define them and structure them.
  • Patterns: series of numbers are a classic resource that helps students identify the patterns on which their construction has been based.
  • Abstraction: the game "Guess what" allows children to recognize and abstract the essential elements of an object or entity.
  • Algorithms: with a simple game in which the student is invited to describe an activity, such as dressing up or going to class, it is easier for the little ones to understand what an algorithm consists of.

These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are endless. In addition, many of these options are available through computing resources, a good avenue through which to develop computational thinking.

In this ProFuturo resource on computational thinking You will find not only easy definitions to understand -for children from 8 to 10 years old, mainly, but also for older ones-, but you will also have access to exercises and dynamics entertaining and easy to follow. These will help students to understand in depth and reinforce their learning of concepts such as decomposition, patterns, algorithms, error detection or bugs.

Ultimately, computational thinking is a key thought process that can be taught easily to all children from a very early age, also favoring the reduction of the digital divide. The best way to explain it is by applying strategies of the same computational thinking, which have youngsters use logical reasoning and reflection to understand the concepts in depth.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to develop computational thinking for children, we recommend that you enter our category of Study techniques.

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