The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

It’s never too early to learn code

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Story time happens every week at New River Branch Library, but the program on Dec. 5 was particularly special because the library was one of 250 public libraries across the country to receive a grant from the American Library Association’s  ‘Libraries Ready to Code’ initiative.

After listening to Ms. Judy (Judy Curran) read two tech-inspired books during story time, 18-month-old Ava Edouard, of Wesley Chapel, sets her attention on the New River Branch Library’s newest piece of technology, a Fisher Price Code-A-Pillar. (Christine Holtzman)

The initiative, sponsored by Google, aims to help implement and plan coding activities during Computer Science Education Week.

The grant allowed the library to purchase a toy called a Code-A-Pillar by Fisher Price, which can be used to teach young children the basics of computer coding.

In recognition of Computer Science Week, the library, at 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, also set up coding stations, robots, crafts and cool projects throughout the week to teach toddlers to teens about computer science.

By Christine Holtzman

 

Judy Curran, the New River Branch Library’s Youth Services Provider, far right, adds another segment of code to the Code-A-Pillar’s body as children and parents watch to see what command the Code-A-Pillar performs next. Code-A-Pillar’s commands on each body segment are picture-based, providing an intuitive way for children to learn the basics of computer coding. The children, from left: 2-year-old Madison Kidd, of Zephyrhills; 1-year-old Astrid Banks, of Wesley Chapel; 3-year-old Austin Banks, of Wesley Chapel; 2-year-old Emma Maxwell, of Wesley Chapel; and, 2-year-old Penda Pavon, of Zephyrhills. The adults in the back, from left: Kathy Doss (Emma Maxwell’s grandmother) and Elisa Kidd (Madison Kidd’s mother).
Judy Curran, the Youth Services Provider at the New River Branch Library, gets a high-five from 2-year-old Emma Maxwell, of Wesley Chapel, at the beginning of Story Time with Ms. Judy, also known as Judy Curran, on Dec. 5.

 

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