Maybe UK kids are smarter, but I feel like fractals are a lot for 7 to 8. Maybe 10 or 11? At least let them know how decimals work first, otherwise fractal dimension wouldn't even make sense.
Just to add when I mean fractals at 7 and 8, I don't mean the hard maths or the programming, for sure.
But some ways to imagine the context of the hard maths.
Like how to recognise fractals (or just self-similarity) in nature, or explore drawing some by hand, that is a really crucial thing that a seven or eight year old should be introduced to. Why are leaves like trees? Why is broccoli simpler than it looks? River deltas, snowflakes, you know...
Kids are shown lots of these things -- and they often notice self-similarity without prompting -- without being told that there is a unifying theory. The unifying theory is amazing in and of itself, and can be demonstrated with a Logo turtle.
(Which brings me onto another thing... where the heck are all the logo turtles)
There's a long and broad tradition in the UK of the "Christmas Lecture" now (started with the Royal Society which is televised; it's what a TED talk is, but better). All-ages family learning, made fun and accessible.
Just to add when I mean fractals at 7 and 8, I don't mean the hard maths or the programming, for sure.
But some ways to imagine the context of the hard maths.
Like how to recognise fractals (or just self-similarity) in nature, or explore drawing some by hand, that is a really crucial thing that a seven or eight year old should be introduced to. Why are leaves like trees? Why is broccoli simpler than it looks? River deltas, snowflakes, you know...
Kids are shown lots of these things -- and they often notice self-similarity without prompting -- without being told that there is a unifying theory. The unifying theory is amazing in and of itself, and can be demonstrated with a Logo turtle.
(Which brings me onto another thing... where the heck are all the logo turtles)
There's a long and broad tradition in the UK of the "Christmas Lecture" now (started with the Royal Society which is televised; it's what a TED talk is, but better). All-ages family learning, made fun and accessible.