What is Coding?

Here's what we cover in this article. If you see what you're looking for, just click on the link to go directly to that section.

• What is coding for kids?
• Why should kids learn to code?
• Is it hard for kids to learn code?
• How do kids learn to code?
• What are the best programming languages for kids?
• Kids can learn to code apps and games
• Learning to code online
• Where can my child learn to code with an instructor?
• Can my child learn code with an instructor online?
• What offline resources can help my child learn to code?
• My child is more artistic. What can coding do for them?
• How about learning to code based on my child's interests?
• How can learning to code benefit my child?
• Do any coding companies have a curriculum for high school students?

Learning to code is a great opportunity for children of all ages to develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, while building the necessary focus and organization to see projects through to completion.

Coding usually begins with drag-and-drop visual programming in which children connect blocks together to make programs. Visual programming teaches the fundamental concepts without typing or syntax by placing the focus on the logic behind the code.

Once they've learned the basics, children can transition to real-world programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and C.

From online coding courses and games to offline learning, from in-person coding instruction to live online tutoring, there are endless coding resources available.

The best coding platforms and programs give children of all ages and experience levels the ability to code while making the process fun and engaging.

Technology is prevalent in virtually every aspect of our daily lives and has revolutionized today's world – think self-driving cars, robot-assisted surgery, social media, online banking, environmental conservation, and more. Understanding how to code has become an essential skill to compete in school and in the workforce.

Coding empowers children of all ages to become makers of technology by tapping into their ability to bring their imagination to life.

Kids and teens who code excel at school in math and science, even reading, while developing a skill that will prepare them for future job opportunities.

With so many great services available, learning to code has never been easier! For example, Scratch and Tynker provide innovative visual coding languages that make coding fun.

Tynker's award-winning platform captivates young coders because its story-driven strategy motivates them to learn more and more coding concepts to find out what happens next and complete the activity.

Kids of all ages – from kindergarten through high-school – can learn to code in many different ways. The same fundamental concepts such as sequencing, abstraction, repetition, conditional statements, loops, and functions can be introduced to kids of any age or experience level.

The range of coding education solutions spans far and wide! There are apps, websites, camps, live online classes, and personal tutors, so it's important to choose the method that works best for your child.

Websites like Scratch have development environments, allowing kids to make amazing creations by learning from the community.

Kids who'd like more guidance can benefit from the structured and scaffolded coding curriculum offered by Tynker and Code.org. Those who prefer to learn with a tutor can learn to code at an after-school program at school, a summer camp, or live online. Many top programs offer on-demand, self-paced courses and live online classes and tutoring.

There are many popular programming languages available to kids. Your child can select one based on their age and experience level. Visual programming languages are a great place to start!

We recommend kids begin to learn to code with a block coding language like those offered by Tynker and Scratch. Once they've learned the basics, they can transition to text-based, real-world coding languages like Python and JavaScript. It should be noted that Tynker supports all coding languages.

These days there's an app for everything — including coding for kids — catering to both pre-readers and teenagers. Apps offer coding adventures and games to younger kids, as well as providing the opportunity for older kids to build their own apps and games.

• Picture-based block coding apps (Ages 5-7) - Play coding games and challenges or build simple apps in Tynker Junior and ScratchJr.
  
• Text-based block coding apps (Ages 8-11) - Download Hopscotch or Tynker from the app store and learn to code by creating apps, games, and projects with text-based coding blocks.
  

Again, Tynker's sister company, BYJU'S FutureSchool, offers live online coding classes that will accelerate your child's progress from a beginner to an advanced level coder.

With Scratch, your child can create animations, and they can use Code.org for drawing projects.

Whether they're interested in art, animation, character creation, story-telling, or even music, Tynker has powerful creativity tools:

• The Animation Tool: Does your child love writing stories and drawing characters? Well, now they can make their projects even better by creating their own animated artwork.
• The Pen Blocks: Did you know that you can use Tynker to create colorful, original drawings with just a handful of code blocks using Tynker's Pen.
• The Sound Blocks: Play music with code! Add custom sound effects, too. Tynker's brand new music tool supports MIDI and MP3. Choose from over 100 new instruments with slick new interface keys.

Your child can select a set of courses from their Tynker dashboard to match their skill level. Tynker assessments will place them on the right path. In addition, Tynker has interest-based electives, including intermediate and advanced courses in art, music, game design in real-world text languages like Python and JavaScript. They even have Minecraft courses.

• Minecraft - Training Day: Create your own Minecraft skins, items, blocks, mobs, and more
• Game Design - JavaScript 1: Learn to code browser-based games using JavaScript and HTML canvas.
• Creative Coding: Discover programming through art, animation, music and game design.

Code.org has a year-long course in Computer Science Principles that introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world.

Tynker has courses that align with subject standards like CCSS-ELA, CCSS-Math, NGSS and CS standards such as CSTA, ISTE, CA CS, UK National Curriculum, and several state-level standards like TEKS.

Additionally, Tynker's AP courses align with AP Curriculum Framework Standards: AP Computer Science Principles Curriculum Framework 2020-2021 and AP Computer Science A Course and Exam Description, Effective 2020.

Tynker's AP Courses:

• AP Computer Science Principles (grades 9+) - An advanced year-long high school course designed to introduce students to the central ideas of computer science and prepare them for the AP CS Principles Exam.
  • This course aligns with the College Board's new 2020 Computer Science Principles framework covering Creative Development, Data, Computing Systems and Networks, Algorithms and Programming, and Computing's Impact on Society.
• AP Computer Science A (grades 9+) - This is Tynker's year-long course designed to introduce students to the Java programming language and prepare them for the AP CS A Exam.
  • AP Computer Science A is an introductory college-level course taught in Java, a programming language for professional programmers. Tynker recommends that any academically prepared student take this introductory programming course. The only prerequisite is Algebra 1.

Tynker is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). Using an Endorsed Provider affords schools access to resources including an AP CSP syllabus pre-approved by the College Board's AP Course Audit, and officially recognized professional development that prepares teachers to teach AP CSP. This endorsement affirms only that components of Tynker's offerings are aligned to all the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSP assessment.