Application Description

For kids aged 5-7, ScratchJr offers a delightful introduction to programming by allowing them to drag colorful blocks to create programs and make characters come alive with movement! This intuitive app enables young children to craft their own interactive stories and games. By snapping together graphical programming blocks, children can make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. They can also personalize their creations using the paint editor to modify characters, add their voices and sounds, and even include photos of themselves. With ScratchJr, the programming blocks bring their imaginative characters to life in exciting ways.

ScratchJr draws inspiration from the renowned Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu), which has empowered millions of young people aged 8 and up worldwide. However, ScratchJr's interface and programming language have been meticulously redesigned to be developmentally suitable for younger children. The app's features align with young children's cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development stages, making it a perfect fit for early learners.

We believe that coding, or computer programming, is a new form of literacy. Just as writing helps you organize your thoughts and express your ideas, coding does the same. In the past, coding was often viewed as too challenging for most people, but we believe it should be accessible to everyone, much like writing.

As young children engage with ScratchJr, they learn to create and express themselves through the computer, rather than just interacting with it. This process helps them develop problem-solving skills, design projects, and hone sequencing skills that are crucial for future academic success. Moreover, they apply math and language in a meaningful and motivating context, fostering early-childhood numeracy and literacy. With ScratchJr, children don't just learn to code; they code to learn.

ScratchJr is a collaborative effort 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 of ScratchJr, while HvingtQuatre Company and Sarah Thomson crafted the graphics and illustrations.

If you enjoy using this free app, consider supporting the Scratch Foundation (http://www.scratchfoundation.org), a nonprofit organization that sustains ScratchJr. Your donations, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated.

This version of ScratchJr is compatible only with tablets that have a screen size of 7 inches or larger and run on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or higher.

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

Minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to check it out!

Education