Computers Respond to Inputs
Students learn that computers follow instructions and respond to commands in predictable ways.
Free and open educational curriculum
Computer Literacy for Kids
A free, open curriculum that teaches kids ages 8–12 how computers actually work.
Many children know how to use apps but not how computers and the internet actually function. This curriculum teaches those ideas through hands-on activities that help students explore, question, and create with technology.
Introduction
Computer Literacy for Kids is designed to help educators, families, and facilitators move beyond basic device use and into deeper understanding. Built for ages 8–12, this 18-week curriculum works in classrooms, homeschool settings, libraries, and after-school programs. Students learn how computers respond, how digital work is stored, how online systems shape what they see, and how to use technology for creation instead of passive consumption.
Core Concepts
The curriculum is organized around a set of mental models that help students understand computers and the internet in practical, durable ways.
Digital Work Persists
Students see how files and folders store work so it can be saved, organized, and revisited later.
The Internet Is Made of People
Students connect online communication to real people and practice digital citizenship as they learn.
Algorithms Influence What We See
Students explore how search engines and recommendation systems shape what they find online.
Creation Over Consumption
Students use computers as tools for building, writing, drawing, coding, and making things of their own.
Part of the Literacy for Kids Ecosystem
This curriculum is part of Literacy for Kids, a collection of open-source curricula designed to help children ages 8–12 understand the systems that shape the modern world.
Each curriculum explores a foundational literacy:
🧠 Decision Literacy
Thinking clearly and evaluating choices.
Visit curriculum💻 Computer Literacy
Understanding technology and how computers work.
Visit curriculum📰 Media Literacy
Understanding information systems and evaluating sources.
Visit curriculum💰 Financial Literacy
Understanding money and financial decisions.
Visit curriculum🏛 Civic Literacy
Understanding governance and communities.
Visit curriculumCurriculum Roadmap
The learning progression moves from digital foundations into communication and information literacy, coding, systems thinking, and a final creative project.
Weeks 1-4
Digital Foundations
Internet literacy, systems thinking, files, typing
Weeks 5-8
Communication & Media
Text, images, search strategy, Wikipedia, and source awareness
Weeks 9-11
Coding & Problem Solving
Algorithms, Scratch programming, debugging
Weeks 12-14
Technology Systems
How digital systems work and introduction to AI
Weeks 15-18
Creative Project
Students build their own digital artifact
Start Teaching Computer Literacy
Begin with Week 1 and give students a clearer understanding of how computers, the internet, and digital tools actually work.
Found a mistake or have a suggestion? Open an issue on GitHub.
Version 2.0
This curriculum is an open project and will continue to improve as teachers and families use it.