1. The "be the robot" game

Your child is a robot. You give them instructions one at a time: "take 3 steps forward, turn left, take 2 steps." See what happens.

Then swap. They program YOU around the kitchen. The lesson: instructions have to be CLEAR or the robot does something weird.

That's an algorithm. That's the whole Y1 algorithm objective, in five minutes.

2. Spot the computer at home

Walk around your house. Find FIVE things that contain a computer chip. The microwave, the washing machine, the TV, the smart speaker, the doorbell.

Ask: "What instructions do you think this thing is following right now?" The microwave is running an algorithm: heat for 30 seconds, ping when done.

This nails NC requirement 5 (recognising IT beyond school).

The single most important online safety rule

If you only do ONE thing for online safety: make sure your child knows they can come to you about ANYTHING they see online without losing their device.

The number one reason children don't report worrying things online: they're afraid the phone or tablet will be taken away. Make the deal explicit: "If you tell me, I won't take it away."

That single promise turns you from a punishment risk into a safety resource. The activity book in this pack has a "family promise" page for you to sign together — it works because it makes the deal real.

UK resources you can trust: thinkuknow.co.uk (run by the National Crime Agency CEOP) for age-appropriate online safety. childline.org.uk if you need to direct your child somewhere if they're struggling.