Coding and Robotics Foundation Phase

First steps to coding

I think most teachers will struggle to teach coding as a start. The fundamentals of coding lies in the very root of learning to code for adults. What do I mean by that? Unless teachers do a structured course starting from the very beginning of coding they will find it hard to teach the subject even at a basic level.
Starting to learn coding will either stimulate learner interest or it could put learners completely off.
This very same principle applies for teachers who learn coding as well. A proper introduction course to coding for teachers is very important.
The crocodile coder (see image) is an example of how to stimulate the interest of learners. It is fun and learners enjoy the results as they go along...programming should be fun for learners... Try it!

Under Construction
Note that in the Foundation Phase the emphasis is on "play"
Play with 1. Patterns
2. Shapes
3. Colours
4. Block based items such as Lego
5. Games for meaning such as:
Measurement
Motion
Looks
Events
Control

Let start coding your first algorithm!
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Building a robot using recycled or material. This is relatively inexpensive and simply needs invation and creativity. However, the principles for building robots remains in the forfront which is, interalia, robotics are to be functional in the real world. Children should understand that you build a robot to perform a human intended task. In this illustration of a robot which is set up to "Serve the people in a restaurant". It will not only serve the food to the different tables in the restaurant, but it will also come and collect the completed dishes, cutlary and left overs...in a sense assisting the waiter!