Target Age Group: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Resource: BBC Wonderblocks Series (available on BBC iPlayer)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00277hv/wonderblocks-series-1-1-go
Overview: This scheme of work provides 30 lessons, each linked to an episode of BBC Wonderblocks, to introduce foundational computing concepts to young children. The lessons focus on developing computational thinking skills such as algorithms, sequencing, pattern recognition, debugging, and control, all within a playful and age-appropriate context.
Episode Title: Go!
Key Computing Concept: Introduction to Instructions and Actions
Learning Objective: Children will understand that instructions tell us what to do and can make things move.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Go!". Discuss how Go makes things move.
Play "Simon Says" with actions like "Go forward," "Go back," "Go fast," "Go slow."
Children give simple "Go" instructions to a friend (e.g., "Go to the door," "Go to the mat").
Use a toy car: "Go forward," "Go stop."
Extension Ideas: Introduce "Go" and "Stop" cards for children to hold up.
Vocabulary: Go, Stop, Instruction, Move, Action.
Assessment: Observe if children can follow and give simple "Go" instructions.
Episode Title: Stop!
Key Computing Concept: Understanding Stopping Conditions and Pausing
Learning Objective: Children will understand that "stop" is an important instruction to pause or end an action.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Stop!". Discuss why Stop is important.
Musical statues: Children dance to music and "Stop!" when the music pauses.
Practice "Go" and "Stop" with a partner, using verbal commands or hand signals.
Draw pictures of things that "Go" and things that "Stop."
Extension Ideas: Introduce a simple traffic light game with "Go" (green) and "Stop" (red) signals.
Vocabulary: Stop, Pause, End, Signal.
Assessment: Observe if children can respond appropriately to "Stop" commands.
Episode Title: Hop!
Key Computing Concept: Sequencing Simple Actions (Algorithms)
Learning Objective: Children will be able to create and follow a short sequence of actions.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Hop!". Discuss the sequence of hops.
Create a "hopping path" on the floor with tape or hoops. Children follow a sequence of "Hop forward," "Hop left," "Hop right."
Give a friend a sequence of 2-3 "Hop" instructions to follow.
Draw a sequence of actions like "Go, Hop, Stop."
Extension Ideas: Introduce directional language (forward, backward, left, right) for hopping sequences.
Vocabulary: Sequence, Order, Hop, Follow, Instruction.
Assessment: Observe if children can follow a simple 2-3 step hopping sequence.
Episode Title: Moo!
Key Computing Concept: Repetition (Loops)
Learning Objective: Children will understand that some actions can be repeated.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Moo!". Notice how the "Moo" sound is repeated.
Play a game where children repeat an action (e.g., "Moo!" sound, clapping, jumping) a certain number of times.
Use building blocks to build a repeating pattern (e.g., red, blue, red, blue).
Sing a song with repetitive actions or sounds.
Extension Ideas: Introduce a simple visual representation of repetition (e.g., drawing arrows in a circle).
Vocabulary: Repeat, Loop, Again, Pattern.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify and perform repeated actions.
Episode Title: Cluck!
Key Computing Concept: Conditional Instructions (If...Then)
Learning Objective: Children will understand that an action might happen "if" something else happens.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Cluck!". Discuss how the clucking might be linked to something (e.g., if a hen lays an egg, then it clucks).
Play "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands." Discuss the "if" condition.
Simple sorting game: "If it's red, put it in the red basket. If it's blue, put it in the blue basket."
Create a simple rule for a toy: "If I say 'jump', then you jump."
Extension Ideas: Use picture cards to represent simple "If...Then" scenarios.
Vocabulary: If, Then, Condition, Rule.
Assessment: Observe if children can follow simple "If...Then" rules.
Episode Title: Mooving Up
Key Computing Concept: Directional Commands and Relative Positioning
Learning Objective: Children will use directional language to describe movement.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Mooving Up". Focus on the characters moving up, down, left, right.
Obstacle course: Children navigate an obstacle course using commands like "move forward," "turn left," "step up."
"Robot" game: One child is the robot, another gives commands to move them around the room.
Draw a path for a character to follow using arrows.
Extension Ideas: Introduce a simple coding app (e.g., Bee-Bot, Scratch Jr.) to program movement.
Vocabulary: Up, Down, Left, Right, Forward, Backward, Turn.
Assessment: Observe if children can use and follow basic directional commands.
Episode Title: Splat!
Key Computing Concept: Debugging (Finding and Fixing Errors)
Learning Objective: Children will identify when something goes wrong and suggest a way to fix it.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Splat!". Discuss what went wrong and how it was fixed.
"Broken Robot" game: Give a sequence of instructions, but intentionally include a wrong one. Children identify the mistake ("bug") and correct it.
Build a tower that keeps falling over. Discuss why it's falling and how to make it stronger.
Puzzle solving: Give children a simple jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece or a piece in the wrong place.
Extension Ideas: Use a simple sequence of picture cards, remove one, and ask children to "debug" the sequence.
Vocabulary: Error, Bug, Fix, Problem, Debug.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify a simple error in a sequence or action.
Episode Title: The Breakfast Bears
Key Computing Concept: Ordering and Sequencing Events
Learning Objective: Children will sequence events in a logical order.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "The Breakfast Bears". Discuss the steps involved in making breakfast.
Role-play making a simple snack, emphasising the order of actions.
Create a "recipe" for a simple activity using drawings or symbols.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of parallel actions (e.g., while one person pours milk, another gets spoons).
Vocabulary: Order, First, Next, Last, Sequence, Step.
Assessment: Observe if children can correctly sequence 3-4 familiar events.
Episode Title: Moo! Cluck! Baa!
Key Computing Concept: Combining Instructions and Patterns
Learning Objective: Children will combine different instructions to create a longer sequence or pattern.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Moo! Cluck! Baa!". Notice how different sounds/actions are combined.
Create a "farm animal dance" using a sequence of "Moo," "Cluck," "Baa" actions.
Build a pattern with blocks using different colours and shapes (e.g., red square, blue triangle, red square, blue triangle).
Compose a simple rhythm using body percussion (clap, stomp, tap).
Extension Ideas: Introduce simple musical instruments to create a combined sound sequence.
Vocabulary: Combine, Mix, Pattern, Sequence.
Assessment: Observe if children can create and follow a sequence combining 2-3 different actions.
Episode Title: Dancefloor Delight
Key Computing Concept: Algorithms for Movement and Choreography
Learning Objective: Children will create and perform a simple dance sequence (algorithm).
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Dancefloor Delight". Discuss the different dance moves.
Create a class dance: Children suggest simple moves (e.g., jump, spin, clap), and the adult helps sequence them into a short dance.
"Follow the Leader" dance, where the leader creates a sequence of moves for others to copy.
Draw a sequence of dance moves using stick figures or symbols.
Extension Ideas: Use a programmable toy (e.g., Bee-Bot) to "dance" a path.
Vocabulary: Dance, Move, Sequence, Algorithm, Choreography.
Assessment: Observe if children can contribute to and perform a simple dance sequence.
Episode Title: Step By Stepping Stones
Key Computing Concept: Pathfinding and Navigation
Learning Objective: Children will plan and follow a path to a destination.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Step By Stepping Stones". Discuss how the characters find their way.
Create a "stepping stone" path on the floor using paper or mats. Children navigate the path.
Draw a map of the classroom and plan a route from one point to another.
Blindfolded "robot" game: One child is blindfolded, another gives verbal instructions to guide them through a safe path.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of the shortest path or most efficient route.
Vocabulary: Path, Route, Navigate, Direction, Step.
Assessment: Observe if children can follow a simple planned path.
Episode Title: Rainy Day Bears
Key Computing Concept: Input and Output (Cause and Effect)
Learning Objective: Children will identify simple cause-and-effect relationships.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Rainy Day Bears". Discuss what happens when it rains (cause) and what the bears do (effect).
Experiment with simple cause-and-effect toys (e.g., press a button, a light comes on; wind up a toy, it moves).
Play a game: "If I clap my hands (input), then you jump (output)."
Draw what happens "if" it rains (e.g., put on a coat, open an umbrella).
Extension Ideas: Explore simple digital tools where actions have immediate effects (e.g., drawing apps, simple games).
Vocabulary: Input, Output, Cause, Effect, React, Respond.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify a simple cause-and-effect relationship.
Episode Title: Tower of Flowers
Key Computing Concept: Building and Structuring (Data Representation)
Learning Objective: Children will understand that objects can be organized and built in specific ways.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Tower of Flowers". Discuss how the tower is built, layer by layer.
Build towers or structures with different types of blocks, following a simple design.
Sort objects by different attributes (colour, size, shape) and discuss how they are "organized."
Create a simple "stack" of objects, discussing which is on top, in the middle, and on the bottom.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of a "list" or "sequence" of items in a structure.
Vocabulary: Build, Structure, Organize, Layer, Stack, Order.
Assessment: Observe if children can build a simple structure following a visual design or verbal instructions.
Episode Title: Building Sandcastles
Key Computing Concept: Planning and Design (Decomposition)
Learning Objective: Children will break down a task into smaller, manageable steps.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Building Sandcastles". Discuss the steps involved in building a sandcastle.
Plan how to build a simple structure (e.g., a Lego house) by breaking it into parts (walls, roof, windows).
Draw a design for a sandcastle or a simple building before attempting to build it.
Role-play building something, talking through each step.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the idea of different "roles" or "jobs" when working on a bigger project.
Vocabulary: Plan, Design, Step, Part, Break Down, Task.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify 2-3 main steps needed to complete a simple task.
Episode Title: First Things First
Key Computing Concept: Prioritization and Order of Operations
Learning Objective: Children will understand that some actions need to happen before others.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "First Things First". Discuss why certain things must happen before others (e.g., put on socks before shoes).
Sequence morning routine cards, emphasizing which actions are "first."
Play a game where children have to complete tasks in a specific, non-negotiable order (e.g., put on hat, then gloves, then coat).
Discuss simple rules like "wash hands before eating."
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of dependencies in a simple way (e.g., you can't read a book if you haven't opened it).
Vocabulary: First, Before, After, Order, Priority.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify the correct "first" step in a simple sequence.
Episode Title: What Can We Do?
Key Computing Concept: Problem Solving and Brainstorming Solutions
Learning Objective: Children will suggest different ways to solve a simple problem.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "What Can We Do?". Discuss the problem and the different ideas for solving it.
Present a simple problem (e.g., a toy is stuck, a tower falls down) and ask children to brainstorm solutions.
Use open-ended construction play where children are encouraged to find their own solutions to building challenges.
Role-play scenarios where characters have a problem and need to think of solutions.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the idea of testing different solutions to see which works best.
Vocabulary: Problem, Solution, Idea, Brainstorm, Try.
Assessment: Observe if children can offer at least one suggestion to solve a simple problem.
Episode Title: Woodland Wiggle
Key Computing Concept: Movement and Sensory Input (Interaction)
Learning Objective: Children will explore how their movements can create responses.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Woodland Wiggle". Focus on how movements affect the environment or other characters.
Use a simple motion-activated toy or app (e.g., a sound app that plays a sound when you move your hand). SCRATCH CODE
Dance to music, encouraging children to notice how their movements change.
Play "Wiggle like a worm," "Wiggle like a snake," exploring different types of movement.
Extension Ideas: Introduce simple coding where movement triggers an event (e.g., a character moves when a button is pressed).
Vocabulary: Movement, Wiggle, Respond, Interact, Sensory.
Assessment: Observe if children can make a connection between their movement and a resulting action or sound.
Episode Title: Magic Beans
Key Computing Concept: Growth and Iteration (Repeating with Change)
Learning Objective: Children will understand that repeating an action can lead to growth or change.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Magic Beans". Discuss how the beanstalk grows bigger with each step.
Plant a seed and observe its growth over time, discussing how small, repeated actions (watering, sunlight) lead to big changes.
Build a structure, adding one block at a time, and discuss how it gets bigger.
Draw a sequence of a plant growing from a seed to a flower.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of a loop that changes something each time it runs.
Vocabulary: Grow, Change, Repeat, Iteration, Develop.
Assessment: Observe if children can describe how repeated actions lead to growth or change.
Episode Title: Musical Bears
Key Computing Concept: Sound and Rhythm (Pattern Recognition)
Learning Objective: Children will identify and create simple sound patterns.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Musical Bears". Focus on the different sounds and rhythms.
Use simple musical instruments (or body percussion) to create and repeat rhythmic patterns (e.g., clap, clap, stomp; clap, clap, stomp).
Listen to different sounds and identify patterns (e.g., fast/slow, loud/soft).
Create a "sound story" using different sounds in a sequence.
Extension Ideas: Use a simple music creation app where children can arrange sounds in a sequence.
Vocabulary: Sound, Rhythm, Pattern, Beat, Sequence.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify and replicate a simple sound pattern.
Episode Title: Sounds Like a Plan
Key Computing Concept: Planning and Prediction
Learning Objective: Children will make simple predictions about what will happen next based on a plan.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Sounds Like a Plan". Discuss how the characters plan what they are going to do.
Plan a simple activity (e.g., making a sandwich, setting the table) and predict what will happen at each step.
Read a story and pause to ask "What do you think will happen next?"
Draw a simple flow chart for a daily routine.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of different outcomes based on different choices in a plan.
Vocabulary: Plan, Predict, Guess, Outcome, Next.
Assessment: Observe if children can make a reasonable prediction for the next step in a familiar sequence.
Episode Title: Top Secret Holiday Hideout Plan
Key Computing Concept: Security and Privacy (Introduction)
Learning Objective: Children will understand the idea of keeping some information private.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Top Secret Holiday Hideout Plan". Discuss why the plan is "top secret."
Talk about personal information (e.g., full name, address, phone number) and why it's important not to share it with strangers.
Create a "secret code" using simple symbols or colours for a message.
Discuss the importance of asking a trusted adult before sharing anything online.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of a password (e.g., for a toy box) in a playful way.
Vocabulary: Secret, Private, Safe, Share, Information, Password.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify one piece of information they should keep private.
Episode Title: Someone's Been Eating My Porridge
Key Computing Concept: Comparing and Contrasting (Data Analysis)
Learning Objective: Children will compare objects based on different attributes.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Someone's Been Eating My Porridge". Discuss how Goldilocks compares the chairs, beds, and porridge (too big, too small, just right).
Sort objects into categories based on size (big, medium, small), colour, or texture.
Play a "Guess the Object" game where children describe attributes for others to guess.
Compare two different toys and describe how they are similar and different.
Extension Ideas: Introduce simple Venn diagrams with two overlapping hoops for sorting.
Vocabulary: Compare, Contrast, Same, Different, Big, Small, Attribute.
Assessment: Observe if children can compare two objects and identify one similarity or difference.
Episode Title: Bunch of Bugs
Key Computing Concept: Grouping and Classification (Categorization)
Learning Objective: Children will group objects based on shared characteristics.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Bunch of Bugs". Discuss how the bugs might be grouped (e.g., by colour, number of legs).
Sort a collection of toy animals or objects into groups (e.g., farm animals, wild animals; things that roll, things that don't).
Create a "bug hunt" in the outdoor area and sort the found items (e.g., by colour, size, living/non-living).
Play "I Spy" with categories (e.g., "I spy something that is a fruit").
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of a database or collection where items are organized.
Vocabulary: Group, Sort, Category, Classify, Characteristic.
Assessment: Observe if children can group a set of objects into two or more categories.
Episode Title: Potted Plant Parade
Key Computing Concept: Attributes and Properties (Describing Data)
Learning Objective: Children will describe objects using various attributes.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Potted Plant Parade". Discuss the different features of the plants (colour, height, type of leaf).
Describe a toy to a friend using its attributes (e.g., "It's red, it has wheels, it's small").
Play "What am I?" where one child describes an object using attributes and others guess.
Draw a plant and label its different parts (attributes).
Extension Ideas: Introduce simple data tables or charts to record attributes.
Vocabulary: Attribute, Property, Describe, Feature, Colour, Size, Shape.
Assessment: Observe if children can describe an object using at least two different attributes.
Episode Title: Again!
Key Computing Concept: Refining and Iterating (Improving Algorithms)
Learning Objective: Children will understand that processes can be repeated and improved.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Again!". Discuss how repeating something can make it better or achieve a desired outcome.
Practice a skill (e.g., throwing a beanbag, building a tower) multiple times, discussing how each attempt can be improved.
Play a game where children try to beat their previous score or time.
Draw a sequence of actions, then redraw it to show an improvement.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the concept of a "loop with a condition" (e.g., repeat until it's perfect).
Vocabulary: Again, Repeat, Improve, Refine, Practice, Iterate.
Assessment: Observe if children can suggest a way to improve a repeated action or process.
Episode Title: Here We Go Again
Key Computing Concept: Scaling and Growth (Computational Thinking)
Learning Objective: Children will understand how simple actions can lead to large-scale outcomes.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Here We Go Again". Discuss how a small bean can grow into a giant beanstalk.
Build a very tall tower using many small blocks.
Discuss how one small instruction in a computer program can lead to a big result (e.g., pressing a key makes a letter appear).
Create a "growing" pattern, where each step adds more elements than the last.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the idea of "scaling up" a design or plan.
Vocabulary: Giant, Grow, Scale, Big, Small, Outcome.
Assessment: Observe if children can connect a small action to a larger result.
Episode Title: Giant Beanstalk
Key Computing Concept: Interaction and Response (User Interface)
Learning Objective: Children will understand that their actions can cause a response in a system.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Giant Beanstalk". Discuss how bouncing causes the castle to move and react.
Explore interactive toys or apps where pressing buttons or touching the screen causes a reaction.
Play a game where one child's action (e.g., a jump) causes another child to react (e.g., giggle).
Discuss how a computer responds when you click a mouse or press a key.
Extension Ideas: Introduce the idea of different "inputs" leading to different "outputs."
Vocabulary: Interact, Respond, Bounce, Button, Click, Touch.
Assessment: Observe if children can identify an action that causes a specific response.
Episode Title: Bouncy Castle
Key Computing Concept: Preferences and Choices (Conditional Logic)
Learning Objective: Children will make choices based on preferences.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Bouncy Castle". Discuss the different choices of ice cream and toppings.
Create a "choice board" for snacks or activities (e.g., "Do you want an apple or a banana?").
Play a sorting game where children choose which category an item belongs to.
Discuss how computers offer choices (e.g., "Do you want to play this game or that game?").
Extension Ideas: Introduce simple "if-then-else" scenarios (e.g., "If you want chocolate, then take chocolate. Else, take vanilla.").
Vocabulary: Choice, Preference, Option, Select, Decide.
Assessment: Observe if children can make a clear choice when presented with options.
Episode Title: Ice Cream Bears
Key Computing Concept: Creativity and Expression through Technology
Learning Objective: Children will explore how technology can be used to create and express ideas.
Activity Ideas:
Watch "Ice Cream Bears". Focus on the different things the characters create.
Use drawing apps or simple digital painting tools to create art.
Experiment with digital music creation tools to make simple tunes.
Use a camera or tablet to take photos or record short videos.
Discuss how people use computers to make stories, pictures, and music.
Extension Ideas: Encourage children to share their digital creations with others.
Vocabulary: Create, Express, Technology, Digital, Imagine, Design.
Assessment: Observe if children engage creatively with digital tools.
Episode Title: It's Wonderful What You Can Do
Key Computing Concept: Applying Computational Thinking Skills
Learning Objective: Children will apply their understanding of sequencing, patterns, and instructions to create a simple project.
Activity Ideas:
Option 1: "Robot Dance Party": Children work in small groups to choreograph a simple dance sequence for a "robot" (another child or a programmable toy), using a series of instruction cards (e.g., "Go forward 2 steps," "Turn left," "Clap 3 times"). They then perform their "robot dance."
Option 2: "Wonderblocks Story": Children create a simple story using pictures or drawings, focusing on a clear sequence of events and perhaps a "problem" and "solution." They can use symbols for "Go," "Stop," "Repeat" in their story.
Option 3: "Pattern Playground": Children design and build a playground using construction materials, incorporating repeating patterns in their design (e.g., a fence with alternating colours, a slide with a specific sequence of steps).
Extension Ideas: Encourage children to "debug" their creations if something doesn't work as planned.
Vocabulary: Create, Design, Plan, Sequence, Problem, Solution, Apply.
Assessment: Observe if children can independently apply multiple computing concepts learned throughout the scheme in their project.
Assessment in EYFS is primarily observational.
Look for children demonstrating understanding through their play and interactions.
Document observations using photos, short notes, or videos.
Focus on the process and engagement, not just the final product.
Encourage discussion and questioning to gauge understanding.
Communication and Language: Listening, attention and understanding; Speaking.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Self-regulation; Managing self; Building relationships.
Physical Development: Gross motor skills; Fine motor skills.
Mathematics: Pattern; Positional language; Problem solving.
Understanding the World: Past and present; People, culture and communities; The natural world; Being imaginative and expressive. (This is where digital literacy and creativity often sit in EYFS, as there isn't a standalone "Computing" ELG).
This scheme provides a flexible framework. Feel free to adapt activities to suit the specific needs and interests of your children and the resources available in your setting. Enjoy exploring the world of computing with Wonderblocks!
 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7XgZJmLCrj8MF-3ivIKniS2UXbm8NIUi