Computer programmers code to send commands and instructions for the computer to perform a specific task. Programmers use different coding languages for various applications. For example, websites might use HTML, and for games, they might use Python.
Kids can start learning to code as early as five years old, maybe earlier. Introducing your kids to programming can be challenging unless done right. Even before they can read, they can look at block-based games to understand the coding principles. This kid’s coding guide will share with parents the general world of coding for kids.
What is coding?
Coding instructs a computer program on how to run. Programming languages such as HTML, Python and JavaScript are used to create websites and games. Coding is also used to command a robot to perform different tasks. The daily things you do on your phone, you should thank programmers for telling the phone what to do.
Kids can learn to code as early as five years old as coding concepts can be easily displayed in the form of a game. Kids who have not learned to read can learn coding through puzzle games or by sequencing. At the age of 5 to 6 years old, kids can use “drag and drop” to code simple games and slowly move on to text-based coding to eventually try out the application they have created.
Why should kids learn coding?
1. Useful skill
Even if your kids don’t pursue a career in technology, knowing how to code is an excellent skill to have at their disposal. Understanding computers would also come in handy, especially with the rapid technological advancement.
2. Possibly leading to promising careers
Kids who learn to code will have a skill increasingly in demand for various industries. Having the knowledge of coding and learning from a young age would give them a good chance of securing a good job in the future.
3. Creative expression
Coding and creativity go hand in hand. Kids can express their creative sides through games, websites or applications they create based on their interests. The possibilities are endless with coding, and kids can express their creativity in many ways.
4. Computational thinking
Computation thinking is a skill that helps to solve complex problems, and is integrated in solving programming challenges. Starting your kids early in programming will help them develop computational thinking which would come in handy for a career in programming, or any other tech career.
Enticing your kids towards coding
Instead of using on-screen examples, parents or teachers can show algorithm development using household or daily items. Roleplaying is also an excellent way to teach kids coding in a fun manner, for example, roleplaying a robot and a programmer.
Get creative with the ways to display coding concepts like using modified outdoor games. Kids’ coding classes are also a good way to boost their interest as they would be learning hands-on coding work with the friends they make in class.
Starting them early may pay off later
Kids learning to code at a young age would set the path for promising and exciting careers in the future. Many jobs in various industries would prefer an individual with a programming background. The knowledge they learn over the course of their coding journey might land them a job that pays above the average monthly salary, securing them a stable lifestyle in the future.
Even if your child wouldn’t be pursuing a career in programming, it will still be essential to know what computers can do, so they can come up with creative solutions to problems with technology. Starting them early in programming can help them in the path to be future innovators, entrepreneurs, etc.
It is also easier to learn syntax programming if you have been coding from young. Your child would be able to grasp the computational logic of syntax programming easily. For instance, if they learn to be familiar with basic coding concepts such as “if”, else”, functions and variables from a young age, the will have a less steep learning curve when moving on to other coding languages such as, Python, which requires your kids to type out commands in code.
ripplecreate is a coding school in Singapore that offers a learning program for kids to learn to code. With specially curated lessons for each kid, we teach kids how to code while also making it enjoyable. Contact us at hello@ripplecreate.com for further inquiries.
