Unplugged Tots the book on Make:
In a recent episode of Make:cast, I had the pleasure of joining host Dale Dougherty alongside Brian Jepson from Raspberry Pi Press to talk about my new book, Unplugged Tots. The book, edited by Mark Frauenfelder — the original Editor-in-Chief of Make: — offers playful, screen-free activities that introduce young children to computational thinking and problem-solving, all without needing computers or coding apps.
During the episode, I shared how Unplugged Tots began as a parent’s mission to bridge early childhood play with the digital skills children will need later in life. Each activity is designed to be simple, engaging, and accessible, using everyday materials to explore ideas like sequencing, pattern recognition, and logic.
Our conversation went deeper into why these skills matter — not just for coding, but for life. We talked about creativity, resilience, and metacognition: the ability children have to think about their own thinking. We also touched on one of the biggest challenges parents face today — managing screen time — and how hands-on, collaborative learning can create meaningful alternatives that build connection as well as competence and skills.