Coding for Kids
When you were young, it wasn’t hard to imagine being an architect, inventor, or engineer because you probably had hundreds of toy blocks that fit together to build whatever you wanted.
It was exciting to learn how the pieces connected, especially when creating a complex project with moving parts. While today’s kids still play with these building blocks, they also have an entirely new world of virtual blocks—in the form of computer code.
Coding can unlock a child’s imagination by teaching them how virtual blocks can create just about anything they can dream of; whether it be an online game or a helpful app, a piece of music or a work of art.
Or maybe your child is interested in robotics, drones, and artificial intelligence. Either way, it all starts with code. The possibilities in computer programming are limitless. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? But how can kids learn to code? Where do you start?
6 ways to introduce kids to the exciting world of coding
1. Figure out why
Learning to code has endless benefits. It teaches problem-solving, creative thinking, and communication skills, builds confidence, and can even lead to a lucrative career. But for most kids, coding is really fun.
2. Choose your coding language
Each coding language has a different use – and there are dozens of programming languages out there today. Professional programmers typically know multiple languages. Here are some of the most popular coding languages for beginners, so that you can get familiar with their names and most typical uses:
- Java is useful for Android app creation and back-end web development–which is what runs behind the scenes to make a website work. It’s relatively simple and reads like English, but powerful enough to run just about anything.
- Python is the language of artificial intelligence and machine learning. It’s the most popular coding language taught in schools today. Python applications take less code to run, thanks to built-in features that abstract a lot of complexity without sacrificing overall capabilities.
- HTML is a great entry point for kids looking for quick feedback on the coding choices they make. While HTML isn’t a dynamic “coding” language, this must-learn language powers nearly everything a person sees on the web.
- CSS is an essential “step up” after learning HTML. CSS stands for “cascading style sheets” and allows designers to use code to make websites look great by changing colors, the position of elements on a page, typography, and layout.
3. Pick your coding resources
Tynker’s award-winning coding curriculum is presented in a carefully designed program of 300 lessons in 6 levels to take your children from novice to expert coder. So why not jumpstart your child’s coding journey by purchasing a new Tynker plan and get 2 FREE, live online classes with one of our coaches.
Coding coaches help kids get their bearings and set them off on a path to success before embarking on a self-paced plan (they can always get more coaching if they want). It’s a great way for kids to learn at their own pace with custom instruction from trusted experts who love coding and STEM.
4. Download a coding app
Check out Tynker’s highly-rated mobile apps, in which kids ages 4-14 can create their own apps, games, and art, mod Minecraft, and even control robots and drones with over 1,200 activities. Easy-to-use tools let kids create anything they can imagine with code – from game building to 3D modeling, music, and more. Getting started is free.
5. Practice & Play
Our most important takeaway for parents is that once kids get started with coding, they usually love it. We live in a digital world. Coding lets them go from a consumer to a creator.
Learning a new language comes easier for kids. Their brains are growing and can absorb new information at an accelerated rate. Coding is a great way for the next generation to create and communicate.
6. Just get started
We live in a revolutionary time, where computer programming has created life-changing advancements in medicine, technology, environmental conservation, and more. Fortunately, getting started in coding is easier than you think.
Over 100,000 schools and 60 million children worldwide have benefited from Tynker’s award-winning platform; from pre-K to AP-level high-school seniors. It’s never too early to begin learning code.
Explore Tynker’s fully-guaranteed online private classes and meet a few of our coaches. Here’s what a parent had to say about one of our coding classes:
“My 7-year-old son truly enjoys the Introduction to Game Design, Tynker class. The class is often filled with his exciting voice and laughter. The teacher is very engaging.”
-Tao L., Parent
If you enjoyed this article, see our other posts on Tynker’s blog page.
