How to explain loops to kids, no computer needed
A loop is the idea of repeating a step instead of writing it out again and again. The first lesson below starts with exactly that.
What the Batch unit “Loops” covers
Teach a robot to repeat. It is unit 2 of the How Computers Think track and has 5 lessons and 46 cards:
- What's a Loop?
- Loop a Pattern
- Count With a Loop
- Loops Everywhere
- Boss Level: Review
What the first lesson says
This is the actual text from lesson 1, “What's a Loop?”, word for word:
Imagine writing 'clap' 100 times. Ouch! A loop says REPEAT 100 — clap. Same result, way less work!
Every loop has two parts: HOW MANY times to repeat, and WHAT to do each time.
A question from that lesson to try together
Why would you use a loop instead of writing 'clap' 100 times?
- To make the robot confused
- To save a lot of writing
- Loops are louder
Answer: To save a lot of writing — Exactly — one REPEAT does the job of a hundred claps!
Try it at home
Pick a short action, such as a clap or a jump, and take turns being the robot that follows the rule “repeat it this many times” while the other calls out the number.
Play the lesson
Open Batch in the browser, choose How Computers Think, and start with Unit 1, Instructions = Code, lesson “The Very Literal Robot”. Units unlock in order, so Unit 2, “Loops”, opens once the units before it are finished. Whether an account is needed is answered in the FAQ.
Printables for the fridge
Two free PDFs for the How Computers Think track. The checklist lists the lessons from 4 of the track's 6 units.
More guides: all Batch guides.