ScratchJr Explained (Start Here!)

If you teach coding in the early years or primary classroom, this is one of the easiest places to start. In this video, I take a complete beginner look at ScratchJr, one of the most popular tools for introducing young learners to coding and computational thinking. ScratchJr uses simple pictorial programming blocks instead of text-based code, making it ideal for younger students who are just starting their journey with programming. We walk through the entire interface step by step: creating a project, adding characters (sprites), building simple algorithms with coding blocks, and testing animations using the green flag event system. You'll also see how students can create stories, animations, and interactive scenes while learning important computing concepts like sequencing, loops, events, and debugging. I also share some practical classroom tips along the way, including common mistakes younger learners make when attaching code to sprites, how to prevent frustration when characters move around the screen, and how to balance creativity with coding when students start designing their own backgrounds. Towards the end of the video, I will show you my own custom tool called AmberJr.com, a tool I built that allows teachers to add their own assets and lesson materials to ScratchJr projects. This opens up a lot more possibilities for storytelling, curriculum integration, and creative coding in the classroom. If you're introducing coding to younger learners, ScratchJr is a fantastic place to begin. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:04 What is ScratchJr? 0:46 Installing and opening ScratchJr 1:02 Creating your first project 1:40 Adding sprites and coding blocks 2:22 Movement blocks and simple algorithms 3:11 Testing and adjusting code 3:28 Resetting sprite positions 3:53 Adding backgrounds 4:30 Balancing creativity vs coding time 5:17 Working with multiple scenes 6:23 Adding and managing sprites 7:01 Where code is attached (common mistake) 7:27 Overview of coding blocks