Decomposition means breaking a big problem into smaller parts that are easier to solve. Programmers do it all the time: a game becomes a player, enemies, a score and a finish line — each built and tested on its own.
What your child will learn
- Explain what decomposition means
- Break everyday tasks and programs into smaller parts
- Know that small parts are easier to build, test and fix
- Spot parts that can be reused
One piece at a time
“Make a game” is too big to start. “Make the player move left and right” is small enough to do today. Solving small parts one at a time, then putting them together, is how every big program — and every big project — gets built.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. A game has a player, enemies and a score. How many parts is that?
- 3
- 1
- 2
- 5
Show answer
Answer: 3. Player, enemies and score: three parts to build.
2. Building a Lego castle can be broken into…
🏰- a spaceship
- a car
- walls, towers, a gate and a roof
- one brick
Show answer
Answer: walls, towers, a gate and a roof. Build each part, then put them together.
3. You want to tidy your bedroom. Which is a good first small task?
- Buy a new house
- Go to the Moon
- Paint the whole house
- Put the toys in the box
Show answer
Answer: Put the toys in the box. Start with one small job at a time.
Tips for grown-ups
- Plan a family picnic together by splitting it into jobs: food, drinks, games, travel.
- Break a big Lego build into sections.