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Preschool
Play-based foundations that introduce sequencing, direction, patterns, instructions and problem-solving in an age-appropriate way.
View Preschool resources →Little Code · Unplugged Coding & Robotics
Big coding ideas.
No screens required.
Play-based coding and robotics for young learners, using practical activities, games and everyday materials to build the logic behind programming before a child ever needs to sit in front of a computer.
CAPS Aligned
English & Afrikaans
Preschool to Grade 3
No Electronics Required
🧩
Learn through play
💡
Build computational thinking
Up to 40 weeks of lesson planning available
English and Afrikaans options
Hands-on activities with simple materials
Structured, easy-to-follow lesson planning
Little Code: unplugged coding and robotics in action.
▶ Video
What is unplugged coding?
Teach the thinking behind code before the technology.
Little Code introduces coding and programming concepts through play. Instead of starting with devices, children work with blocks, crayons, balls, movement, stories and other real-world objects to understand instructions, patterns, sequences and problem-solving.
The programme was originally presented as a 10-week journey on Software Development Online. The wider Little Code programme has since expanded to a much broader collection of lesson planning and learning resources for Preschool and Foundation Phase learners.
No computers or tablets are required to teach the activities.
Some curriculum pages simply need to be printed, while the practical lessons
are completed with everyday classroom or household materials.
Simple to present
What a Little Code lesson gives you.
The approach is designed to make unplugged coding practical for parents, teachers and facilitators — even if they are not programmers themselves.
Lesson planning
Clear weekly guidance gives the adult a structured path to follow.
Vocabulary
Key words help learners become familiar with the language of coding and logic.
Activity instructions
Hands-on instructions turn abstract coding ideas into concrete play experiences.
Printable resources
Selected pages can be printed and combined with everyday materials for the lesson.
More than “coding”
Skills children practise while they play.
Little Code uses coding as a vehicle for wider cognitive, social and creative development.
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Logical Thinking
Creativity
Perseverance
Teamwork
Risk Taking
Self-confidence
Math Process
Storytelling & Retelling
See the material
Sample Little Code content.
Preview examples from the English and Afrikaans resources. Select any sample to open the full-size image in a new tab.
English sample content
English
Afrikaanse voorbeeldinhoud
Afrikaans
These images are provided as a visual preview of the style and format of the learning resources. The full range of current lesson-planning products and courses is maintained on the Little Code website.
Recognition matters
Celebrate completion and progress.
The original Little Code term programme includes a Certificate of Completion, giving children something tangible to celebrate after completing their activities.
A positive way to recognise effort and perseverance.
Useful for a learner portfolio, classroom record or keepsake.
Supports the “learn through doing” approach of the programme.
For teachers and facilitators too
Want to teach unplugged coding with confidence?
Little Code also offers online short courses designed to help teachers introduce unplugged coding and robotics in the preschool classroom. The training focuses on creative, hands-on activities that develop critical thinking, problem-solving and computational thinking without relying on screens or electronic devices.
Explore Teacher Training
100% Online
Complete the training online.
Certificate of Completion
Issued after successful completion of the training course.
Lesson-plan options
Current options include training with or without a year package of lesson planning.
Frequently asked
Little Code questions.
Do I need computers or tablets to teach Little Code?
No. The lessons are hands-on and use practical, real-life items. Some pages
from the curriculum may need to be printed, but the learning activities do
not require children to use electronic devices.
Is Little Code available in both English and Afrikaans?
Yes. The current Little Code programme includes English and Afrikaans
options, including dedicated lesson-planning pathways for Preschool /
Voorskool and Foundation Phase / Grondslagfase.
What age groups are covered?
The current lesson-planning library covers Preschool and Foundation Phase,
including Grade R, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3.
How much lesson planning is available?
The Little Code website currently advertises up to 40 weeks of lesson plans.
Visit the lesson-planning section
for the latest available packages.
Is the programme CAPS aligned?
The Little Code website describes the programme and its lesson planning as
CAPS aligned. For the latest grade-specific curriculum information, use the
current lesson-plan pages on the Little Code website.
Where should I purchase or view the latest Little Code programmes?
This page introduces the programme. The current range of Little Code lesson
plans, courses and resources is maintained at
unpluggedcoding.com.
Ready to prepare little brains for big futures?
Explore the complete Little Code programme for current English and Afrikaans lesson plans, Preschool and Foundation Phase resources, and educator training.