This week, the children have been introduced to the world of algorithms! We started by understanding that an algorithm is a set of clear step-by-step instructions to solve a problem or complete a task. The children quickly realised that for an algorithm to work properly, every step needs to be precise and easy to follow.
To bring this concept to life, the children took on the role of robots. Each child had to follow instructions given exactly, like a real robot would. The children discovered that even the tiniest mistake or unclear direction could lead to a error in the computer program.
Working in small groups, the children explored different algorithms. Examples of these were drinking water from a bottle, putting on a coat and gluing a picture into a book. They loved this activity and put their heads together to see if they could make any of the instructions clearer or more efficient. This teamwork helped them understand that in the real world, programmers often need to review and refine their algorithms to make them better.
We also talked about how algorithms are everywhere, not just in computers. From brushing our teeth to getting ready for school, we follow mini algorithms all the time without even realising. The children had fun coming up with their own step-by-step guides covering every-day tasks and shared them as a group.