Meet our newest Featured Maker, 9-year-old Chael from the Philippines! Chael likes practicing Taekwondo, reading comic books, and collecting action figures. Terrific! Chael recently spoke with us about his experience coding with Tynker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did you get introduced to Tynker and how long have you been coding?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My daddy introduced me to Tynker when the COVID-19 pandemic begun. I found it really fun and interesting because I like playing video games to begin with. I\u2019ve been coding for about two years now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did you learn how to use Tynker when you were first starting out? What are your favorite Tynker courses or tutorials?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I just went through the tutorials and did a lot of trial and error. Tynker tutorials and the examples in each course it makes it really easy for me to understand what certain commands and code blocks do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite courses has got to be Glitch Manor, Turings Tower and Space Cadet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It improved a lot! I have actually started making and coding games on other platforms like Roblox Studio and Unity. Tynker helped me understand and appreciate the basics of coding and making games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I felt happy and proud. My dad told me that Tynker reached out to me and I got really excited because Tynker is one of my favorite sites to learn coding from!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is your favorite project you\u2019ve made so far? What do you like about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite project so far is game I made called \u201cCodecraft.\u201d It\u2019s a platformer game that also allows you to solve problems in the game creatively by using items. Like if a ledge is too high, you can place a block by clicking the mouse and stepping on the block to reach the ledge by jumping. I like it because it\u2019s entertaining but it also requires you to use your brain. It also boss fights and a dog that can be your companion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you get inspiration for your projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I get my inspiration by playing other games. I take the parts of the games I like and try to code in Tynker and improve how the game plays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why do you like to code?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I like to code because it\u2019s educational and fun. I also like it because there is no limit to the things you can create!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is your favorite way to use code? Do you have a favorite code block?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I like if and then blocks. It\u2019s super simple but there\u2019s a lot of things you can do with it like when the game character touches an object, it can move, teleport or make a sound. It makes the game more interactive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you do with a project when you\u2019re done with it? Do you debug it? Show it to someone? Publish it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I check the game for bugs, and I try to fix as many of them as I can. When I feel that the game is playable enough, I show my mom and dad and ask them to play it. Then I publish it after I get feedback from my mom and dad who are my game testers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are you planning to make next?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I want to create an update for my favorite game I made on Tynker which is \u201cCodecraft.\u201d It\u2019s going to be a platformer which is going to have tougher bosses and new cut scenes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s the best thing about Tynker?<\/strong> How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I learned logic which my dad says I can use if I want to be in the field software programming, but I also want to start a game development studio in the future so Tynker also prepared me for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you think other kids should try coding? Why\u2019s that?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n They should! It\u2019s really fun and it allows you to be better at solving problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just keep making games until you get better. My first games weren\u2019t really that good, but I practiced a lot and eventually made better games. Just code and code until you get better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus: What\u2019s a fun fact about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I have two pet parakeets named Jem and Pickles!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you feel about Chael learning to code? How does it feel to see the coding projects he is making?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m honestly amazed by it. My work entails a lot of tech and I love that my son is getting into the basics of coding. I think Tynker does an amazing job simplifying even more advanced coding concepts in a way that just clicks with kids. I love playing the games that Chael makes and I definitely see his output improve as he spends more time on the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What benefits do you think coding has for your child? What skills (besides the technical skill of coding) does it help them learn?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Logic and problem-solving. One of the benefits of learning how to code at a young age is that you just get so much better at solving even non-code-related problems. I definitely see an improvement in how<\/p>\n\n\n\n my child looks at and approaches all sorts of problems. He\u2019s more experimental and isn\u2019t afraid to try different ways to address them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>I like how easy everything is and love the style of the default characters. They\u2019re very likeable and there\u2019s a lot of them to choose from so I can pretty much make whatever game I want.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe spoke with Chael’s dad about Chael learning to code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n