Can you skip paper circuits and start at breadboards?
Our position, and the 'cut to the real thing' counterpoint.
Our position
Breadboards are conceptually harder than the wires look. A 'row' of connected holes is an abstraction a lot of 8-year-olds bounce off. Paper circuits build the 'electricity is a path' mental model first; the breadboard then makes sense as 'a paper circuit with reusable rows.' Skip the paper-circuit stage and half the class stalls on wiring before any project has started.
Other voices
Reputable sources worth reading before you decide. Labels reflect our honest read of each source's general stance, not direct quotes.
MIT Media Lab paper circuits research
Broadly agreesMIT's research on paper circuits as an electronics on-ramp is foundational to the whole Chibitronics / paper-circuit movement.
Chibitronics educator resources
Broadly agreesChibitronics is explicitly designed around the 'build the mental model first with a visible conductor' pedagogy. Their classroom testimonials are extensive.
Older-student programs
Nuanced / mixedFor middle schoolers and up, starting on breadboards is fine because the abstraction leap is manageable. Age-dependent.
Breadboard-only programs
Pushes backSome teachers argue paper circuits are 'cute but not real electronics.' Disagree - pedagogically, the paper-circuit stage builds essential conceptual scaffolding.