How to Teach Kids to Code

Schools are closed. However, this is not just for the usual breaks. It is closed indefinitely. Although there is phased reopening, most kids are still at home. Therefore, brains still need to grow, although formal education has stopped for many families.

It would be a good idea to let the kids rest and enjoy other things aside from their schoolwork, but that would be a waste of time since they keep on aging by the minute. As they do so, they need to be growing both academically and personally.

In this case, we are not only parents but also teachers and instructors. However, this new role would be challenging; it is shared among those that work closely with our kids as chefs, babysitters, and overall household managers. We have to accept that a lot is happening. For us to adjust well, we should be willing to assist and cooperate.

We will discuss coding -I know for some of you, this has not crossed your mind, but since we have time at home, it would be wise to seize the moment. We know that most kids did not learn coding while at school, but now they have time and are free from distraction. Learning something new would go a long way in enhancing their knowledge.

For those who were teaching their kids to code and require some information on how to go about it, you are in the right place. There are many answers, but not for all questions.

Parents don\’t have to be conversant with programming to teach their kids to code. Here are a few tips and some additional information on how to get your kid started.

Why Every Child Should Learn to Code

It is useful to empower kids with knowledge as they grow. Coding is essential and is at the forefront of many future careers. Here are some of the reasons why learning coding is useful to kids:

Coding instills math skills in children

It makes mathematics creative and fun. It helps kids visualize various concepts like abstract. It lets them apply mathematics to real-life situations.

It improves writing skills

Children taught how to code understand how to plan and organize their ideas. It results in better writing skills over time.

Coding improves problem-solving skills

As they learn to code, they develop a sense of direction that helps find alternative ways of solving problems if the first one didn\’t work.

It is another language

Language teaches children how to think logically and how to communicate. It strengthens both written and verbal skills. Children need a chance to learn different languages, which will help them navigate the world. Coding has its language, and kids need to be aware of it.

Tips for Teaching Kids to Code

Find ways to make your kids interested in coding

Try as much as you can to connect things your kids find interesting to code. For example, if your child enjoys soccer, you can try teaching them about data science as it relates to soccer in the sports stats.

Make Coding Visible

Use certain toys and other tangible materials to introduce them to the various coding principles. It enhances understanding making it easier for them to remember.

Familiarize yourself with Coding Terms

You may be wondering how all this works and how to begin to discuss it. You first have to start by learning the coding vocabulary, which is essential when teaching kids to code.

Seek Help from an Expert

No matter how much we try, challenges are inevitable when teaching kids how to code. It might be a challenge or a hard time keeping your child motivated to learn. Either way, you may have options such as seeking advice from an expert who can offer coding and programming knowledge. You can also let your child explore various tools of learning on their own.

Definition of Coding

Coding is giving instructions to the computer to perform a task through step-by-step procedures. The aim of this code is for the computer to do what it\’s being commanded to achieve.

Coding is used to instruct apps to run on phones and execute games on consoles. Coding controls most of what your children engage in through their laptops, social media, and websites they visit.

Most people have concluded that computers are smart, but in the real sense, computers have no life without code. A computer is just a command-follower brought to life with the code.

Coding Languages

So if coding is commanding a computer on what to do, there should be a way of communicating.

The function of the language used to code is to instruct a computer. The only challenge here is that languages take many instructions and forms. Just like it would be required and expected when talking to people from different parts across the world, coding languages differ depending on the kind of machines they are used to sufficiently pass information through.

Scratch, Lua, Python, Java, C++ are some of the best languages used in coding, and each is required to achieve different objectives. Here are some descriptions and features for each one of them:

Scratch

Kids are more intrigued by what they can see. Scratch is a free visual programming language that offers a firm foundation of programming concepts. It enables kids to drag and drop code blocks to build apps, animate characters, and create games.

What\’s even better is that it is simple, which gets children even more excited about coding. It is great for kids without experience in programming. It helps in providing basic teaching concepts like solving problems. It also shows kids how fun it is to code.

Alternatively, there are some other cool coding apps, for example Tynker, ScratchJr(for younger kids aged 5-8), lightbot etc.

Python

It is one of the simplest coding languages. It has simplified focus and syntax on whitespace. It requires fewer coding lines to start running, offering starters a chance to start creating quickly.

Organizations like Disney and Google use this coding language and in scientific fields. This language is in web frameworks, the development of games, and several scientific computing projects.

It is helpful for teenagers and kids who want to bring their ideas to life in the shortest time possible. It is also needed to create an easy-to-read code that is almost similar to regular English.

Java

It is one of the most extensively used coding languages in the world. Researchers say that almost 90% of Fortune 500 companies have gained from Java. Java expects you to identify a variable type since it a statistical language.

It is helpful for students who are patient enough to learn the syntax of languages. It is also useful for teens who want to understand the concepts of programming.

C++

This language is used in creating applications that locally run on machines like your computer. Though it is quite hard and time-consuming to learn, it gives your kids a deeper understanding of programming. It is useful in the creation of games and systems software.

When Should I Start Teaching My Child to Code?

Coding for kids can start as early as seven years. Some can start at a younger age (as early as age 6), but research has shown through experience over the years and various coding courses for children, they can begin with a code language like Scratch at the age of seven.

So when the question of whether or not kids should learn code arises, the reasons against and for depend on the age. Kids from seven can be able to understand certain concepts.

Teaching kids how to code is essential, and this adds to the possibility of a brighter future. As a parent, don\’t ever hesitate to teach your kids to code when you get a chance. You will have equipped them with an important life skill.