Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 4th grader Le-Han from Australia! In addition to game design, Le-Han likes to play the piano and read. She recently spoke with us about her experience coding with Tynker:
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
My school! I think a few years ago, we started using it. And then I really liked the app. So I asked my dad to download it for me. And now I’ve been using it for around a year.
How did you learn to use Tynker?
I started with the dragon tutorial. I found it really useful. Then after that I just looked at other people’s project, and used that in my coding to help me.
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
I think they really improved because when I first made projects, I barely put any effort into them. They were like really quick projects. But now I put more time and effort into it.
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I was really excited because I didn’t think that it was true, then I told my sister and my dad, like everybody knew!
What’s your favorite project you’ve made so far?
I think my favorite would probably be the one that featured my Hogwarts dress-up. I like that I’ve challenged myself to do more things in that dress-up than I’ve done.
Where did you get the idea for your project?
I got an idea from it because I just finished reading the Harry Potter series. So from that I got the idea to make the dress-up. And it took me around I would say a week maybe.
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
Sometimes I get it from my sister. She also uses Tynker. And she also has a certain project and we work on it together. Or maybe just maybe current events that’s happening.
Do you like to code?
I really like to code because I think the logic in it will help me in future. And also it’s really fun to see the sequence of events and how they’re authenticated.
What’s your favorite way to use code?
I like the broadcast. I think I’ve used that one probably the most. Because I like how instead of using a white block, it just makes everything smoother.
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
Usually I would check it three times to see if there were any mistakes and anything I could improve and then my sister would go through that as well, see if she likes it. If she doesn’t like it or if you think something is wrong with it, then I’ll fix that. And then after, the publisher.
What are you planning to make next?
I think maybe I’m gonna do something for Christmas because it’s Christmasy.
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
I really like the drawing function because as well as coding for Tynker, I also use it for drawing.
Has learning to code prepared you for the future?
I think because now there’s a lot of technology in the world. I think we all need to learn coding when we grow up.
Do you think other kids should try coding?
Yeah, it’s really fun. And also, it helps you in life. And so I really think they should try.
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
Start easy and maybe learn with the courses first. And then you can build up and most importantly, have fun.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
I like English because I love to read. And also, I think math is really fun. Because there’s a right or wrong answer.
Bonus: What’s a fun fact about you?
I think that I’m always asking questions and sometimes, yeah, I ask questions too much, apparently.
Le-Han’s mother, Hiep, spoke with us about her daughter learning to code with Tynker:
I feel very proud of Le-Han because she is actually learning how to code, and it’s one of my weaknesses. I’m not good at computers. So I’m very, very glad that she’s able to do it by herself, independently and also using coding to bond with her younger sister and also teach her along the way.
So I think Tynker has provided, you know, the grounds not only to build in terms of learning new skills, learning how to code, thinking logically, but also for us, it’s building that bonding relationship between the two sisters.
How do you support her coding endeavors?
As parents we already support our kids in whatever they do. And we provide the time and the space for her to do it. It’s like the time when she does Tynker, it’s a time that she actually relaxes. We’re very happy that she’s able to focus her mind on doing something that she’d like and enjoy, and I think it will prepare her for and help her in other areas.
Such as creativity, in that it also allows her to explore drawing skills, improving her drawing skills, and it also connects her with piano because some of the projects she codes with piano in there as well. So I’m really glad that she’s able to marry, you know, different skills into the one project.
Do you feel that she’s better prepared for the future?
I’m certainly sure that Le-Han is ready. But we just don’t know where it would take her. She’s someone who’s really focused and someone who always strives for challenges.
And when there’s a problem that she can’t solve or when it’s hard, she’ll put it down and then she’ll come back so she’ll be very persistent and try to tackle it until she gets to the end. So I’m sure whatever problems she has in the futur she’ll be able to take them too.
Thank you!
We want to thank Le-Han and her mother for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what she creates next – HAPPY CODING!
