Kids Coding Lab
Did you know that StudyBox offers a Kids Coding Lab?
This course will introduce your child to coding concepts. They will use a variety of techniques and be introduced to new tools. This will enhance their knowledge of coding.
Why learn coding?
In our digital generation, coding is the future. It is the source of websites, apps and video games. Coding not only helps with maths and writing skills, but will look good on a CV and eventually enhance job opportunities.
The Kids Coding Lab will include:
Creating a game using software
Curriculum-oriented activities
Learning to input commands
Programming a robot through learning sensors and control
Course Details:
5-7 year olds:
(1 hour lessons)
- Fun introduction to coding
- Screen-free, hands-on activities
- Programming a robot to perform a sequence of steps
- Setting up cause and effect sequences
8-9 year olds:
(1-2 hour lessons)
- Progress from off-screen to on-screen activities
- Team-based projects
- Create and program a vehicle to move and complete tasks
- Introduction to Python coding language
10-12 year olds
(2-4 hour lessons)
- Learn how coding languages work
- Create your own code
- Linking software with hardware
- Learn how to continue working on their project after the lesson has finished
Come and visit our centres:
Don’t forget to book a free trial! https://studybox.london
National School Sports Week
This week is important because it celebrates schools all over the country participating in P.E. Since National School Sports Week was established in 2008, more than 5000 schools take part in physical activity, with more than 1.8 million pupils participating across the country!
Why is it important?
The 24th – 28th June highlights the importance of young people keeping active, especially during the long hours of learning whilst at school. That’s why it is important to have a lesson of at least one hour of physical activity per week, alongside studying.
Encouraging children to get active and participate in sports at school is what this week is all about, as well as keeping active in general. There are so many different types of sports to try, from swimming to gymnastics and tennis, there is something out there for everyone.
This week is also the women’s football world cup, so why not give football a go?
There are so many benefits of sports and exercise, including, increasing the ability to focus; stimulating brain growth, improving mental health and communication, and boosting cognitive performance.
But how do we know all this?
A study conducted with mice (Van Pragg et al. 1999), compared inactive mice with mice that ran 3 miles per night on an exercise wheel. The physical mice showed dramatic brain growth. Learning and memory was doubled compared to the dormant mice. This goes to show that exercise is therefore good for both the brain and the body.
Physical activity is also known to improve mood by releasing endorphins to the brain. A positive mindset is certainly important for learning.
Mind and Body
As well as keeping the body in shape, it is vital to keep exercising the brain, too. Especially during the six week summer holidays, to keep children on-track with learning.
Students attending the Croydon StudyBox centre get one free hour of playtime, using the on-site facilities, before or after their tuition. What better time to make use of this than during National School Sports Week? There are also two other centres in Wallington and Sutton. Did we mention that new members get a free trial?
Sign up here!
Follow our Facebook page!
Introducing a Coding Course For Kids During May Half Term
This May half term, StudyBox will be introducing a coding course for students. Further courses will then be made available during the summer break.
What is coding?
Coding is the skill of the future. It is the foundation on which websites, apps and video games are created and maintained. Put simply, through the language of coding we communicate with computers.
Why should children learn to code?
Learning to code might be perceived by students as a welcome diversion from academic study, but it is a great way to develop new skills. Not only is coding fun and “cool”, but there are also many benefits associated with learning to code:
Coding helps students to develop new, transferable skills
- Problem Solving
Coding teaches students to confront complex problems and break them down into smaller parts. This leads to logical, computational thinking.
- Creativity
Instead of just using technology, through coding students put together their own vision of an app, game or website
- Collaboration
By working together on projects, students naturally learn to collaborate and work effectively as a team, thereby developing robust work and life skills.
- Communication
Of computers, it is often said that you only get out what you put in, and this is very much the case with coding. Students must communicate their requirements concisely through the language of coding for their project to be successful.
- Critical Thinking
When coding, a methodical approach is essential. Students learn to map out and rigidly follow the stages of their work.
All these skills are transferrable across academic disciplines and extra-curricular activities.
Coding skills provide wider opportunities in the job market
According to Emsi, the student-to-employment economic specialists, Britain faces a shortage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills. Coding is a skill that is very much associated with this area of learning.
Coding skills improve job prospects:
- When applying to colleges or universities for STEM subjects, having coding experience can give students an advantage over the competition
- Demonstrating coding skills will increase a student’s prospects of securing programming job roles. Computing jobs are growing at over twice the national average of other careers, but it is argued there are not enough skilled people to fill them
- Basic programming knowledge enhances the way students interact with the technologies they use at university and throughout their career.
StudyBox tuition will be introducing a coding course in May half term.
Why Choose StudyBox Coding Lab?
Introduction to coding concepts using a variety of tools and techniques that will enhance their knowledge of coding.
What they will learn:
-
Learn about control and sensors while programming a robot
-
Curriculum-based activities
-
Learn to input commands
-
Debug programmes
-
Create their own games
Transferrable Skills: Problem Solving, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking.
May Half-Term
10 am to 2 pm
Monday 27th – Thursday 30th
The course will take place at StudyBox@Kidspace Croydon
Course Overview:
5-7 year-olds
1-hour lessons
-
A fun introduction to coding.
-
Screen-free and hands-on activities to teach coding.
-
Learn to program a robot to perform a sequence of steps.
-
Children can set up fun cause and effect sequences.
8-9 year-olds
1-hour lessons
-
Progress from off-screen activities to on-screen coding.
-
Team-based projects.
-
Create a vehicle and programme it to move and complete tasks.
-
Introduction to Python coding language.
10-12 year-olds
1 or 2 hour Lessons
-
Learn how coding languages work.
-
Create your own code.
-
Linking software with hardware.
-
Learn how to continue working on their project after the lesson has finished.
Get in touch
To find out more about StudyBox coding courses and how your child can learn the skill of the future, call us on 020 3189 1442 or visit our website.
An additional tuition centre for StudyBox at Kidspace, Croydon
In April, StudyBox opened its latest tuition centre. In addition to our centres in Wallington, Sutton and Epsom we now have our third centre in Kidspace at The Colonnades, Croydon.
This unique setting allows us to provide students with the opportunity to combine exercise and education. As experts in English, Maths and Science tuition, at StudyBox we understand the benefits of exercise on a child’s capacity to learn.
Kidspace provides the perfect setting for learning
The creation of Kidspace was a response to a lack of recreation facilities for children in the local area. The owners maintain that play should be challenging and fun, a mantra that sits perfectly with the StudyBox approach to education. We like to challenge our students while doing everything possible to create a relaxed and inspirational environment.
So, the perfect partnership between recreation and education was born. The StudyBox centre at Kidspace is open weekdays from 4-6pm and on Saturday mornings. There is free car parking, and for those using public transport, the centre is on a busy bus route.
The added bonus for students attending our Croydon centre is that they also get one hour of free play time before or after their class. A report published in PubMed Central (PMC) found that the ability to focus attention is improved among children who participate in physical activities. Having a tuition centre inside an indoor adventure playground must, then, be a win-win!
StudyBox tutors complement the work being done in schools
StudyBox first opened in March 2015. We take great care to hire a wide range of enthusiastic tutors who can adapt to the different learning styles and abilities of students. Close relationships with local schools are also key to serving local communities effectively.
We follow the national curriculum, guiding students through 11+ exams and GCSEs, and helping them transition from year to year throughout their education. StudyBox is proud of its achievements so far.
Get in touch
If you would like any more information about the new centre at Kidspace, call us on 0203 189 1442 (ext 4) or email us at [email protected]. Book your free trial now.
Private Tuition Could Benefit Your Child
Many students find that mainstream education doesn’t have the resources to provide sufficient one-to-one attention from teachers. Parents are turning to private tuition to complement the teaching provided in school.
How can tutors help with GCSEs?
Tuition for GCSE students is on the rise. The 2018 Sutton Trust survey found that 27% of students now have a tutor at some point in their education.
Benefits of working with a tutor at StudyBox:
- Our tutors provide customised lessons in which they can concentrate on specific areas of the syllabus that are proving problematic
- In one-to-one sessions, the tutor can determine and focus upon a student’s weak areas
- A student is more likely to ask for help and resolve the problem they’re struggling with
- Our tutors can help the student with homework and test practice which helps build confidence in the classroom
- Students have access to additional learning resources
Why invest in a tutor for the 11+ exam?
Grammar schools have a reputation as the pinnacle of the secondary education system. With a wealth of resources and a history of exceptional results, parents aspire to see their child attend grammar schools. Places are incredibly competitive and students must pass the 11+ exam to gain entry.
The 11+ exam is extremely difficult, to the extent that many children begin to prepare for it from as early as Years 3 or 4. Our tutors know which techniques to use to improve a child’s score and enhance their chances of getting into a grammar school of their choice.
The 11+ exam is an advanced KS2 level and we provide a specialised programme for students in year 4 and 5. We begin teaching students more challenging topics early on in year 5 to ensure they have sufficient time to consolidate their knowledge and practice applying skills to exam style questions.
The benefits of revision
The sooner a student starts to revise, the better.
In mainstream education, the time to teach the syllabus is limited and students are required to do a large proportion of their revision at home.
By taking the time to go over subjects, again and again, the student’s confidence naturally grows. A tutor can offer various revision techniques to avoid cramming which causes stress and anxiety.
StudyBox is a maths and English tuition centre based in Wallington and Sutton. We provide tuition in English, mathematics and science for SATS, GCSE and 11+. To find out more visit our website. Follow our Facebook!