Introducing “Unplugged Tots” the book
Introduce your child to the foundations of computer coding so that they have the skills for their future, now.
Prepare children to be the problem-solvers, inventors, engineers, scientists, and technologists of tomorrow by equipping them with the skills they’ll need through accessible, fun, engaging activities that are screen-free. Unplugged Tots helps teachers and parents introduce computational thinking skills to children so that they have a head start in the world of technology.
This book:
Features 100% screen-free activities — no computer, tablet, or mobile phone needed!
Requires no prior knowledge on your part
Facilitates learning through structured play
Helps you teach pre-computer coding skills for 2½ to 8 year olds
Coding is the fundamental building block of computer programs, the instructions that power everything from the world wide web to your car. Its importance has been recognised by governments around the world and it has been added to school curriculums internationally. This book helps you teach the concepts behind coding to children who are at a pre-school age, and have fun while doing it.
Like learning an additional language, learning the foundations of digital skills can bring many benefits to children (and parents, teachers, and caregivers!), such as improved communication skills, greater confidence, and one of the most important skills of all: how to learn from failure.
"𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘁𝘀" - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸
I'm delighted to share that my book, "Unplugged Tots", will be published by Raspberry Pi on August 12th in the UK and October 17th in the US.
Designed for parents, caregivers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and anyone with children in their lives, my book offers screen-free activity ideas that introduce and develop problem-solving, critical thinking, logical reasoning and computational thinking skills —essential skills for navigating our tech-driven world.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁?
Back in 2018 my family and I attended a Raspberry Pi Jam event. My girls, who were 2 and 4 at the time were struggling with something called ‘ScratchJR’ [an introductory block coding application designed by the MIT Media Lab.] Seeing their frustration with this due to not being able to read, write, use a keyboard and mouse sparked my mission.
Inspired by my two young daughters, I created Unplugged Tots.
I realised that some children needed a bridge to help them understand the core concepts of Scratch and I knew that they could be taught this in a way that appeals to children - through screen-free, play-based learning experiences.
Since then, it's been a busy few years (balancing a career in legal IT marketing and serving as a Chair on an infant school governing body) co-authoring academic articles, and appearing on podcasts and at events.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗝𝗮𝗺?
Today, 1st March 2025, I'm attending my third CamJam which is an event and meet-up for those interested in the Raspberry Pi family of computing devices and other technologies which encourage making and education. Events like CamJam are particularly special to me. At my first CamJam in April 2023, I showcased my unplugged activities and met Eben Upton, the founder and inventor of Raspberry Pi. We reconnected at another CamJam in November 2023, leading to a meeting at the Raspberry Pi offices in Cambridge Science Park.
That meeting kicked off an exciting project with the extremely talented team at Raspberry Pi. And although it's a bit early, I wanted to announce the publication of “Unplugged Tots”, the book, at CamJam, to honour the community where Eben and I met.
It’s been a real labour of love for myself and the fantastic team of Editors and Designers and I am so excited to be seeing my ideas in print!
"Unplugged Tots" is available for pre-order on Amazon now and I'd love it if you pre-ordered. Yes, yes, yes, I know you'll have to wait a little while until it’s in your hands, but it’ll come round soon enough!!
💜 Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey so far. 💜