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Scratchjr Maths

Where is counting hiding in ScratchJr move blocks?

Count how many steps a character moves left, right, up or down.

Quick answer

In ScratchJr, when you use move blocks, you're counting how many steps a character moves in different directions. Each move block tells the character to go forward, backward, left, or right, and you can count these steps to understand how far the character goes.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to count steps when using move blocks in ScratchJr and how that helps you learn about numbers, direction, and distance. Success signs:
  • You can tell how many steps a character moves when using move blocks.
  • You can use counting to predict how far a character will go.
  • You can explain how moving left, right, up, or down changes the character's position.
  • You can make your own simple move sequence and count the steps.

Why this matters

Counting steps in ScratchJr helps you learn important maths skills that you use every day. When you play games, walk to school, or even build with blocks, you're using the same idea of counting how far you go in different directions. Understanding how many steps you take helps you plan your journey, know how far you've walked, and even solve puzzles. In ScratchJr, when you make a character move, you're learning about numbers, direction, and how to follow a sequence of steps. This helps you build important skills for maths, coding, and problem-solving that will help you in school and in your daily life.

How it works

In ScratchJr, move blocks let your character go forward, backward, left, or right. Each time you use a move block, the character takes one step. If you use the same move block more than once, the character takes that many steps in a row. Let’s look at how it works:
  1. First, you choose a move block, like “move 10 steps right”.
  2. Each time the character uses this block, it moves one step.
  3. If you use the block 5 times, the character moves 5 steps in that direction.
  4. You can count each step to see how far the character goes.
You can also mix different move blocks together to make a path. For example, move right 3 steps, then up 2 steps, then left 1 step. You count each move to know how many steps the character takes in total.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine a character called Benny who is learning to walk in ScratchJr. Here are some examples of how Benny moves: Example 1: Simple moves
  • Benny uses the “move 1 step right” block 4 times.
  • How many steps does Benny take in total? 4 steps
Example 2: Different directions
  • Benny moves right 3 steps.
  • Then he moves up 2 steps.
  • Then he moves left 1 step.
  • How many steps does Benny take altogether? 6 steps
Example 3: Counting in a pattern
  • Benny moves right 1 step, then up 1 step, then right 1 step, then up 1 step.
  • How many steps does he take? 4 steps
You can draw this on paper too! Try drawing a grid and placing Benny at the start. Then, use arrows to show which way he moves, and count each step.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Benny’s Treasure Hunt Benny is on a treasure hunt! He needs to move to find a hidden treasure. Here’s how his adventure goes:
  • First, Benny moves right 3 steps.
  • Then, he moves up 2 steps.
  • Then, he moves left 1 step.
  • Then, he moves down 1 step.
  • Then, he moves right 2 steps.
  • How many steps did Benny take in total? 9 steps
Challenge: Can you draw Benny’s path and count each move? Try to make your own treasure hunt with different moves and see how many steps you take.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that each move block only counts as one step, even if you use it more than once.
    Why it happens: Some children think that the number in the block is how many times the character moves.
    Fix: Remember, each move block is one step. If you use it 5 times, that’s 5 steps total.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to count the steps when a character moves in a new direction.
    Why it happens: It's easy to get distracted by the new direction and forget to count.
    Fix: Use a finger or a small object to count each step as you watch the character move.
  • Mistake: Adding up the numbers in the move blocks instead of counting the actual steps.
    Why it happens: Some children think the number in the block is the final answer.
    Fix: Count the actual steps the character takes, not just the numbers in the blocks.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child learn by:
  • Playing with ScratchJr together and asking them to count how many steps their character takes.
  • Using a grid or drawing paper to show the character’s path and count the moves.
  • Encouraging them to make their own simple paths and count the steps.
  • Practising with real-life movement – walk a few steps forward, then back, then left, and count them.
  • Not worrying if they make a mistake – it’s part of learning!

Practice questions

  1. How many steps does a character take if it uses “move 1 step right” 6 times?
  2. If a character moves up 3 steps, then left 2 steps, how many steps does it take in total?
  3. What happens if a character uses “move 1 step down” 4 times?
  4. How many steps does a character take if it moves right 2 steps, then up 3 steps, then left 1 step?
  5. If a character moves left 5 steps, then up 1 step, how many steps does it take?
Answers:
  1. 6 steps
  2. 5 steps
  3. 4 steps
  4. 6 steps
  5. 6 steps

FAQ

What is a move block in ScratchJr?

A move block is a command that tells your character to move in a certain direction, like right, left, up, or down. Each time you use a move block, the character takes one step.

Can I use more than one move block in a row?

Yes! You can use many move blocks in a row to make your character move in a path. Just make sure to count each block to know how many steps the character takes.

How does counting steps help with learning maths?

Counting steps helps you learn about numbers, direction, and distance. It helps you understand how to plan a path, how far you’ve gone, and how to solve puzzles using movement.

What if I get confused about which direction the character is moving?

You can draw a grid or use a real-life example, like walking in different directions, to help you understand. It’s okay to take your time and check the direction each time.

Can I make my own move sequence?

Yes! You can create your own path by combining different move blocks. Try making a path and counting how many steps you take – it’s fun and helps you learn!