In December, all K–2 students at the Early Learning Village took part in Hour of Code/AI, joining millions of students across the country who participated in the National Hour of Code from December 8–14. This experience introduced our youngest learners to the basics of computer science through a fun, age-appropriate activity that brought artificial intelligence to life and showed students that technology can be creative, interactive, and exciting.
Through hands-on exploration, students began developing early problem-solving and logical thinking skills while gaining exposure to the world of coding and technology careers.
During their Hour of Code experience, ELV students participated in a Code.org lesson called “Mix and Move with AI,” a 45-minute interactive activity that blended creativity, coding, and artificial intelligence in a way that was both engaging and developmentally appropriate. In the lesson, students designed their own dancers, remixed music, and used simple code to choreograph dance moves that matched the beat. Along the way, they were introduced to foundational computer science concepts such as sequencing, as well as early AI concepts like prompting and iteration – all within a safe, supportive learning environment.
The lesson emphasized an important message for young learners: ar
tificial intelligence is a tool that can enhance creativity, not replace it. Students saw firsthand how technology can help spark new ideas while still relying on human imagination and decision-making. As part of the experience, students were also introduced to a professional who uses art, technology, and AI in their career, helping them begin to imagine themselves as future creative tech makers.
Experiences like Hour of Code help make computer science available and digestible at a young age, building confidence and curiosity while laying the groundwork for future learning in STEM-related fields.
A special thank you goes to Mrs. Reiber, our ELV technology teacher, who planned and implemented this tech career exploration day. Her work helped ensure that every student had the opportunity to explore, experiment, and imagine themselves as future innovators.