Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 3rd grader Siena from California! She likes to play with Legos, and her favorite subject in school is math because it’s fun and she loves challenges. And when she gets older, Siena wants to be an anti-aging scientist. Sounds cool! She recently spoke with us about her experience coding with Tynker:
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
I’m in this math group and every Friday we do a coding day. And so I saw a bunch of my friends on this app and I asked, what app are you on? They’re like, it’s called Tynker, and then I would go check it out more and more. I taught myself how to code. And then I did some courses in the workshop.
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
They’ve improved a lot and ever since I saw a game, I started making more clicker games. And like, I love soccer games. And that’s how I want to make money!
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I was really, really excited! It was actually during school when I saw it. I went into my projects and I saw this badge. I’m like, what is this? And then it comes up like, hi, we’d love to feature you! And then I’m like wait, what? And then I go into the feature section and I see mine. It’s the third one. Right there. And I’m like, Oh my God, how did this happen?
What’s your favorite project you’ve made so far?
My game that got featured!
Where did you get the idea for your game?
One night I made it and I’m like, I want to make clicker games. I want to make another clicker game. It actually took me less than three hours.
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
I just do something random every time like, maybe this will be fun, so that’s where I kind of get my ideas.
Why do you like to code?
I really like to code because it’s good for learning how to make apps, which is actually one of my choices of what I want to be when I grow up—a game designer.
What’s your favorite way to use code?
One of the blocks like change because you get to play around with them, and you can put this equal to that is bigger than or equal to that so they’re really fun to play with!
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
Every time I do something, I’ll just look at it first and see like, is this good? Does it need improvement? Then I’ll publish!
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
The best thing about Tynker is not only that you get to code, it’s that you can just code anything you want!
Has learning to code prepared you for the future?
I think it would really impact a lot because coding is like the first step on how to be a game designer and you must learn how to code. You must learn everything about physics and math and then you have to do lots of science and stuff like that. So yeah, coding is a big step!
Do you think other kids should try coding?
Yes, definitely because coding involves math, and you’re gonna need math in your life a lot!
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
I advise you to start with courses and kind of memorize things. The first clicker game I ever made, I remixed a project and then I looked at the code and took screenshots of it so that I can remember.
Bonus: What’s a fun fact about you?
I am unlike any other girl!
Parent Questions
Siena’s mother, Elizabeth, spoke with us about her daughter learning to code with Tynker:
I’m so glad that they have incorporated coding into the math curriculum for school. I’m an older generation person, so I don’t even understand that much about coding. And it’s so important, obviously, you know, coding for her generation, and for the future of our world essentially.
So the fact that they’re getting in at this age and learning is fantastic, combining the math side of your brain, the organizing side of your brain, with the creative side of the brain. I think it’s such a valuable thing for these kids, and so I’m just really, really glad that it was introduced by her teacher.
How do you support her coding endeavors?
We have very tight restrictions around technology in our household, but when it comes to coding, there can’t be such a thing as doing too much of that. So we actually don’t really regulate how much time you know she’s on her device if she’s coding because we realize how valuable of a process it is.
Her uncle’s in the tech business, so when he was here visiting they kind of did this project together, which was really kind of cool because they were collaborating. So we support her in the way that we tell her we think this is a great thing that you’re doing, and it’s actually good for you, and you’re going to need this in the future.
What benefits do you think coding has for Sienna?
We’re a big Lego family, and I kind of like putting a Lego project together. It has a lot of similarities with coding, right? You have to have an end in mind and then you have to put the pieces together to get to that finish line and it involves a lot of planning and organization.
Do you feel that she’s better prepared for the future?
100%. No question. I think every child needs to learn how to code. In her generation, I think it’s going to end up being like everybody needs at least basic knowledge of how to code.
Thank you!
We want to thank Siena and her mother for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what he creates next – HAPPY CODING!
