Hi there! I’m Bukky, one of the tutors here at MAMA.codes, and I wanted to share something I’m genuinely passionate about: teaching coding to our youngest learners — even pre-readers!

I have the absolute joy of running our Jump and Code classes for 3, 4 and 5‑year-olds. And I’ll be honest — when I first started teaching this age group, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Could kids this young really understand coding? Would they stay focused for 30 minutes online?

The answer? A big, cheerful yes.

They’re already coding… they just don’t know it yet

What I’ve learned from working with little ones is that they are natural coders. Give a toddler a sequence of steps to follow — like brushing their teeth, putting on shoes, or building a tower — and you’re already introducing the core ideas behind algorithms.

In Jump and Code, we build on this using stories, music, movement and colours to teach skills like sequencing, pattern recognition, and direction-following. And because it’s all wrapped up in play and imagination, the learning is effortless and it really sticks.

What are they actually learning?

Jump and Code introduces what we call pre-coding skills — skills that form the foundation of logical thinking and digital confidence. Things like:

• Recognising and following patterns
• Giving and following simple instructions
• Understanding order and direction
• Making decisions based on what happens next

These are the kinds of skills that prepare children not just for coding, but for life and starting school — from getting dressed in the right order to telling a story from beginning to end.

It’s purposeful screen time that supports their development

Jump and Code is screen time with purpose. These highly engaging 30-minute sessions give your child a head start in digital confidence, logical thinking and creative problem-solving — without needing them to sit still and stare at a screen.

It’s 30 minutes of jumping around, joking, laughing, singing and having fun — all the while learning! It’s myself, the tutor, who has the screen and enters the coding to begin with, cheered on by their students.

What does a Jump and Code class look like?

My biggest aim for each lesson is to make it fun. Your child will join a small online group with children who are similar age. They will be warmly welcomed by me, and then we will launch into a colourful, story-based world.

They might jump up to act out directions, find an object in a certain colour, or help sequence a morning routine. They’ll learn simple logic, solve mini-problems, and get heaps of praise along the way.

It’s vibrant, interactive and designed to suit their attention span — and as an experienced Early Years tutor I pay close attention to each child to ensure they feel seen while I engage and encourage them in each class..

We also provide easy, screen-free activity ideas you can do together at home — we do all the work, so no extra prep or resources needed.

Why is coding even important at this age?

It’s a fair question — what does coding have to do with toddlers?

The answer is: quite a lot, actually.

A study by researchers at The Open University looked at how 2- to 4‑year-olds responded to guided play activities that introduced early coding ideas — things like sequencing steps, recognising patterns, and debugging (fixing) simple instructions. The results were really encouraging: even at this young age, children were able to build pre-coding skills when supported by an adult.

Now I understand that you might have some concerns about whether your child is too young to learn to code. I believe we need to prepare our children for a future that is already here — and the primary aim is to ensure they fall in love with coding, so they are ready and excited to continue learning as they progress through school.And it’s not just about technology. These kinds of skills also help children with their communication, creativity, confidence and focus — all things they’ll need in their daily lives and learning.

Here in the UK, the Department for Education has recognised how valuable these skills are too. The national curriculum encourages the introduction of basic programming concepts from as early as Key Stage 1 (ages 5–7), meaning children who start young are often better prepared when they reach primary school.

At MAMA.codes, we’re all about making that early learning playful and positive. Through music, movement and storytelling, we’re not only helping children build strong foundations — we’re helping them see tech as something they can explore with curiosity and confidence.

Coding with us develops agency and mastery and confidence as well as perseverance and creativity: starting your child’s coding journey with us puts them in charge of screens and technology, not the other way round!

Kickstarting your child’s coding journey

The best part of my job? Seeing a child grow in confidence, curiosity and creativity. Watching them light up when they solve a problem or remember a sequence from last week’s story. Or hearing them explain something to me with complete certainty — those are the moments that remind me just how powerful early learning can be.

By the end of a Jump and Code term, they won’t be coding independently — but they’ll have developed key pre-coding skills, built their focus and resilience, and taken their very first steps into the digital world in a way that feels joyful and empowering.

Our curriculum pathway means they’ll do up to two terms of Jump and Code before we recommend they move on to our ScratchJr curriculum. Where they will use drag and drop coding blocks to actually code things in the digital world!

So if you’re wondering whether your 3- or 4‑year-old is ready to start coding, I’m here to say: they are! It’s a great age to get started. And I’d love to welcome them into one of our classes soon.

Ready to see the magic in action? Book a free 30 minute taster session today, where I’ll get to meet you, you’ll get to see exactly what Jump and Code is all about and your child will show you that they’re not too young to kickstart their coding journey!

I hope to see you soon!