Logic Programming at Elementary School: Why, What and How Should We Teach Logic Programming to Children?

Abstract

In this paper, we argue that Logic Programming(LP) is a viable and desirable paradigm choice for elementary school children. We consider we can fruitfully introduce Computer Science and develop Logical and Computational Thinking skills through LP to children. We analyse the need of educational methodological approaches and suitable teaching resources to make these ideas sustainable over time. We introduce some proposals of different complexity for teaching LP conducted as an initial effort to make this type of knowledge accessible to elementary school students. The proposal is defined within the frameworks of project-based learning, collaborative learning and projects for social good. We present a description of a pilot experience carried out for children aged from 8 to 10 years in two public elementary schools in Argentina.