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

Book your free trial.

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.

 

Exercise and education: the perfect formula for success

Evidence for the positive effect of exercise on learning is gathering pace. The benefits of exercise on attention control, which is crucial for a child’s studies, are proving to be particularly significant.

This April a new StudyBox Tuition centre open in Kidspace Croydon. Students will be rewarded with an hour’s free playtime in the adventure centre before or after each tuition session. It is expected that this combination of recreation and study will lead to a positive response to learning, and ultimately academic success.

Evidence For How Exercise Helps With Study

The Centre for Educational Neuroscience claims that performance in maths and reading is improved with aerobic fitness. Perceptual skills, intelligence, verbal tests, maths tests, memory and academic readiness in ages 4-18 years are positively affected by exercise.

Research conducted by Drollette et al in 2014 found that children who usually performed poorly on attention tasks improved when tested shortly after “moderate acute exercise” such as 20 minutes of walking on a treadmill.

Another study, performed by Scientific American, shared that in their two year study across 12 schools they found that the students who exercised achieved better results with the conclusion that exercise contributes to increased academic performance.

How does exercise help with academic study?

Here’s the science bit! A study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, reports that children who exercise have more white matter in their brains than those who don’t.

The areas of the brain where more white matter was observed are important for attention and memory. The results from a range of tests show that physical activity may be an important part of keeping children’s brains active and open to learning.

Regular exercise affects students by:

• Boosting memory
• Improving concentration
• Improving mental health
• Enhancing creativity

Students should exercise physically and mentally

Of course, it’s not just physical exercise that matters for young students. They must also exercise mentally through revision and regular study outside of the classroom. Private tuition boosts confidence by providing students with the opportunity to ask what they may think are “silly” questions and enables them to focus on problem areas of study.

StudyBox believes that the new tuition centre in Kidspace will provide the ideal opportunity for combining physical and mental exercise. Studying isn’t usually seen as a direct route to fun, but the new tuition centre will change that perception.

The new StudyBox tuition centre at Kidspace

The new purpose built modern classroom will be open weekdays from 4-6pm, and on Saturday mornings. There is free car parking and the centre is on a busy bus route.

StudyBox provides tuition in Maths, English, SATs & the 11 Plus for students of all abilities from Reception to Year 6.

Get in touch

If you would like any more information about this new centre, call us on 0203 189 1442 (ext 4) or email us at [email protected]. Free trials are available. studybox.london