First steps in engineering through play and experiments
Children build real working mechanisms, explore how they work, experiment and find their own solutions. In lessons, your child doesn't just copy a model from instructions — they learn to understand why it works and how it can be improved.
Who is this course for?
- ✦Loves construction setsYour child is constantly building and taking things apart and wants to understand how everything works.
- ✦Is interested in mechanismsGears, wheels, motors and moving models spark genuine interest.
- ✦Loves experimentingThey want not just to follow instructions, but to try doing it their own way.
- ✦Enjoys hands-on problem-solvingA new principle is easier to understand when you can see it, build it and test it.
- ✦Wants to createBuilding a working model themselves is more exciting than simply playing with a ready-made toy.
Is previous experience needed?
There's no need to know how to build robots in advance — your child will learn everything they need in lessons.
What your child will learn
BuildingAssemble models and mechanisms from parts and understand what each element does.
Understanding mechanismsLearn how gears, toothed drives and belt drives work.
ExperimentingChange the design, test ideas and see how changes affect the result.
Solving engineering problemsFind a way to make the model move and complete the set task.
Finding and fixing mistakesIf a mechanism doesn't work — look for the cause, change the design and try again.
Creating their own modelsUse the principles they have learnt not only from instructions, but in their own projects.
What your child will create
Mechanism with gears
A model in which the child assembles gears and belt drives and watches how the speed changes.
Motorised model
The first working motorised model: movement, control and testing ideas in practice.
Engineering challenge
A structure that needs to be improved so it completes the set task.
Own project
A model based on the child's own idea, using the principles they have learnt.
Course programme
Getting to know the parts
Learning to tell parts apart, connect them and build the first sturdy structures.
Simple mechanisms
Wheels, axles, levers: we build models and watch how they move.
Transmissions
Gears, toothed and belt drives: speed, force and direction of movement.
Motors and movement
We connect a motor and make the model move and complete a task.
Engineering challenges
We look for the reasons a mechanism doesn't work, change the design and try again.
Own model
The child invents and builds their own working model and presents it.
Why robotics at ages 5–8 is so much more than LEGO
When a child builds a working model, logic, spatial reasoning, motor skills, imagination and problem-solving all come into play at once. That is why robotics at this age is not early career training, but all-round development through hands-on practice.
Logic and sequencing
To make a model work, you need to plan the order of assembly and check the result.
Spatial reasoning
The child learns to see a structure as a whole and understand how its parts are connected.
Motor skills and care
Working with small parts develops motor skills, perseverance and attention.
Finding solutions
If something doesn't work, the child looks for the cause themselves rather than waiting for a ready-made answer.
What to learn next
Advanced Robotics
The next step: programmable robots, sensors and competition robotics.
Lessons at RoboLab
See how Robotics Junior lessons work: children build models, experiment with mechanisms, test their ideas and learn to find their own engineering solutions.
Teachers
Anton Khozyashev
IT teacher at RoboLab. Teaches Scratch, Roblox, Python, robotics and web development, helping children and teenagers explore technology through projects and creativity.
Ruslan Smirnov
Graduate of the School of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Holds a teaching diploma from HSE University. Over 5 years' experience working with children in Australia, Serbia and Russia.
Andreas Vasileiadis
RoboLab teacher.
Tasos Stylianou
RoboLab teacher.
What families say about First steps in engineering through play and experiments
«A good place. Our son has been attending robotics for two years. We go to Anton's classes. We're very happy and will continue next year.»
«Excellent teachers and interesting courses — Lego, Minecraft and more.»
«My son attends robotics lessons and really enjoys them — the classes are engaging and varied!»
Let your child try being an engineer
Come to a free Robotics Junior trial lesson. Your child will build their first working model, meet the teacher and see that engineering can be understandable and exciting even at ages 5–8.