iCode is extending computer science education to children as young as three through a new partnership with Codie Blocks, the PBS-inspired coding system that launched today for teachers. The kidtech platform will be integrated across 70-plus iCode franchise locations as part of the company’s daytime Early Childhood Parent and Child Classes, bringing tactile, screen-supported lessons to pre-readers.
Based on the Mia & Codie show that airs on PBS member stations, Codie Blocks uses colorful emoji tiles that children snap together to form simple programs. The system couples a physical “Dock-n-Block” kit with an interactive app, then layers in classroom lesson plans aligned to computer science standards. iCode says every center will receive the full Codie Blocks Universe, including exclusive lesson plans and access to an educator portal with Mia & Codie videos and unplugged activities.
“This partnership gives us a complete solution for younger kids,” said Abid Abedi, iCode’s chief executive. “Codie Blocks is intuitive, fun, and educational, which makes it a fit for introducing preschoolers to the foundations of coding.” Creator Don Moody, a two-time Emmy winner known for WordWorld, framed the approach as preparation for an AI-powered world, teaching children to think like coders before they can read.
Codie Blocks is already in use with school districts, libraries, and PBS member stations, and the program is slated to appear this fall on the homepages of Scholastic and Scratch. iCode is promoting free trial sign-ups as the rollout begins, positioning the curriculum as a playful on-ramp where kids build, create, and, in the show’s words, “Run the Code.”