ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the design of an informal learning program, called Family Creative Learning, where children and their families learn together as designers and inventors through the use of computational tools. Social support from parents, or other adult caretakers, can play important roles to foster and sustain their children's learning and expression with computational tools from providing resources, working together on projects, or finding new learning opportunities. In Family Creative Learning, children and parents learn to use computational tools in an environment that also allows them to explore ways to support each other in the kinds of activities. The program especially focuses on engaging families from low-income communities who have limited access to resources and social support around computing. Families learn to use creative tools, like the Scratch programming language and MaKey MaKey invention kit, and build projects based on their interests through a series of five workshops held once a week in community centers.
