The RoboSteamSen project (2023-1-ES01-KA220-SCH-000155379) is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

ScratchJr

Typology
Technological
Resource description
ScratchJr is an introductory programming language designed for young children (ages 5 to 7) that enables them to create interactive stories and games. Using graphic programming blocks, children can program actions such as movement, jumps, dances, and sounds for customizable characters. Inspired by Scratch, ScratchJr was redesigned to be developmentally appropriate for younger children, carefully considering their cognitive, social, and emotional development. It is available as a free app for iPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks.
WEB: https://scratchjr.org/about/info
Sample of use in education with students with IDD
In an educational setting, ScratchJr can be used to promote problem-solving and creativity skills in students with IDD. For example, in a storytelling activity, children can program characters to represent daily events using their own images or custom drawings. These activities reinforce mathematical concepts and language skills in a meaningful and visual context, fostering confidence and active participation.
ARTICULO: Papavlasopoulou, S., & Giannakos, M. N. (2019). Evaluating visual programming for inclusive education. Computers & Education.
Difficulties to which it could be applied
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests, Specialized Skills and Talents
  • Intense focus
  • Memory and attention to detail
Social Communication Challenges, Emotional Regulation
  • Sharing of interests, emotions, or affect
Social Communication Challenges
  • Sharing imaginative play
  • Adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts
  • Understanding social norms and rules
  • Understanding facial expressions or body language
  • Interaction with peers
  • Non-interactive play
  • Misinterpretation of social situations and intentions
  • Inappropriate social behavior
  • Cooperative Interaction
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests, Specialized Skills and Talents, Executive Functioning and Flexibility
  • Fixed Interest
Sensory Processing and Sensitivities
  • Sensory Information Management
Emotional Regulation
  • Regulating Emotions
  • Understanding Emotions
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests
  • Specialized skills or talents
Executive Functioning and Flexibility, Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests
  • Mental rigidity, need to follow routines
Executive Functioning and Flexibility, Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests, Specialized Skills and Talents
  • Intense attachment to objects or activities
Emotional Regulation, Social Communication Challenges
  • Problems initiating and maintaining conversations
  • Pragmatic language skills
  • Literal interpretation of language and abstractions
  • Limited language use
  • Delayed development or unusual speech patterns
  • Making/Keeping friends
  • Expressing Feelings
Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning and Flexibility
  • Avoidance behavior or meltdowns
Learning Objetives
  • Organization of space
  • Learning competences
  • Learning Engineering concepts
  • Learning Maths concepts
  • Learning Science concepts
  • Learning Technology concepts
  • Listening competences
  • Memory improvement
  • Organization of class structure
  • Learning breathing and relaxation techniques
  • Organization of time
  • Practical competences
  • Promote reading comprehension
  • Promote self-management
  • Promoting Flexibility and Adaptability
  • Regulating hyperactivity
  • Regulating impulsivity
  • Cognitive and Behavioral Flexibility
  • Learning Arts concepts
  • Improving Social Communication Skills
  • Improving metacognition (learning to learn)
  • Improving knowledge application
  • Improving Attention and focus
  • Improve Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviors
  • Facilitating Peer Interaction and Social Interaction Skills
  • Executive functions
  • Strategies for Effective Studying
  • Enhancing Sensory Regulation Strategies
  • Enhancing Language Skills
  • Engage in abstract thinking and Symbolic Though
  • Emphasize self-reliance
  • Distinguising Meaningful contents
  • Develop functional writing skills