The ability to write computer code is becoming increasingly advantageous and even necessary for those entering the job market, and thus developing this skill as a kid is very important.
You might associate learning to code with math-heavy programming courses offered at the university level, but that shouldn’t be your kids’ first introduction to coding. Kids as young as seven or eight years old can begin the journey of learning this life-long valuable skill from fan favorite websites like https://codakid.com/. Here are a few ways you can introduce your kids, no matter their age, to the world of coding.
Start with a No Code Tool
The best way to get started with the idea of creating code is to begin to build up an understanding of the logic and structure of coding. This foundation for learning the skill is essential, and easier to achieve than you might think. Even though for younger kids the idea of learning to type code, and worrying about syntax and formatting, is almost insurmountably daunting, there are gentle introductions available. Developing a growth mindset helps learners stay open and persistent through these early challenges. Using a drag-and-drop no-code tool is an excellent first step.
These apps, which will run on any of these Lenovo Kids Computer options, are designed for kids from as young as eight years old and offer a very gentle introduction to the fundamentals. Popular no-code tools like the incredibly popular MIT-created Scratch or Tynker are designed to familiarise those learning to code with the concepts like variables, loops and functions at a foundational level, without them having to worry about actually writing code.
Graduate to Python
It won’t take long before the confines of a build-with-blocks no code tool will be mastered and they’ll be ready to move on. When it inevitably comes time to leave the land of no code or low code tools behind and learn to write code, you’ll need to select a programming language. For a first language, Python is a great option. It’s relatively easy to learn, often described as the easiest language to learn and thanks to its popularity, there are infinite resources and tutorials available on various platforms. These resources take the form of video lessons on YouTube to structured training courses and boot camps, often available for free.
Get Them Excited About It
Simply putting your kid in front of a computer and telling them to learn to code is likely not going to end up with an enthusiastic student. Kids respond well to understanding what they’re learning and why. Before you start them on their first Scratch project, build up their interest and excitement around what coding is and what it’s used for. Give them practical examples of where they interact with code every day, like Minecraft or Roblox.
More and more kids are being introduced to the world of computer code by schools introducing coding, robotics and making classes from an earlier age, and that’s a fantastic thing. These are the tools of the future that today’s kids will need to learn and rely on to be successful when they enter the job market no matter their chosen field.
