The Impact of Preschool Computational Thinking

Setting goals and tracking the right metrics 

1) Metacognition Teaching Strategies

• Emphasizing what comes first, second, third, and last

• Break big problems into smaller steps

• Reflection: Think how things might change for a better outcome

• Goal: Effective Self-regulated Learning

2) Visual Tracking 

• The most hardworking muscles in our bodies are truly amazing—the eye muscles! 

• Sustaining attention at visually demanding tasks

• Skills for reading, copying, observing 

• Accurately 'move' from one target to another

• Goal: Analytical Ability/ Resourceful

3) Abstraction

• Determine differences or similarities in objects, words, orientation, size, color, shape & movement. This skill is considered a strong link to successful reading.

• Filter out unimportant background distractions

• Goal: Organize Thoughts / Attention to details 

4) Patterning

Pattern recognition and intelligence are essentially the same things

• Make predictions based on observation

• Foundation of numeracy skills

• Critical thinking & reasoning

• Goal: Practical Foresight / Organize Thoughts / Establish priorities

5) Spatial Intelligence

• Visualize with the mind's eye

• An excellent way to learn math

• See three-dimensional and mentally manipulate it

• Understand and process the relationship between objects & space

• Goal: Visualization / Creativity / Harness curiosity 

6) Musical Brain Gym

Functioning skills for dynamic activities that require eye-ear-body coordination are important for both sides of the brain :

• Mastering thinking skills 

• Integration of visual & auditory information with action to complete a task 

• Goal: Stress Buster / Improve Attention / Growth of new brain cells