With the rapid tech adoption, many parents are encouraging their kids to learn to code. Gone are the days when coding was introduced in college specifically for engineers and software developers. Today, kids as young as four years can begin experimenting with code through fun games and visuals. And the trend is only getting better.
So if you were wondering how you would teach your kids to code, we’ve got some tips for you. But before moving ahead to invest in your children’s coding education, you need to be sure they are showing some interest. Instead of forcing them to learn to code, give them time to explore the different coding elements on their own and watch their response.
That said, let’s see how you can help your kids learn to code so that they can develop their problem-solving skills as a programmer from a tender age.
Be Closer to Your Kid
Every parent can tell what their kids are interested in, especially once they can talk and interact with others. Kids who love to play video games may find it easy to develop an interest in coding. Those who enjoy outdoor sports may take some time before creating a real connection with the computing world.
Either way, you as a parent or guardian have a role to play in helping your kids develop some interest in coding, even if that means just going through the basics to see if they can quickly pick it up and push forward with it.
The close you are to your kid, the easier it will be for you to know what piques their interest. That way, you’ll know how to incentivize them to allocate some of their free time to learning to code. Even then, coding can be fun for everyone, but teaching it to kids requires more than explaining concepts and lines of code. You need to be systematic, using as many examples, visuals, and gamification techniques as possible.
Understand the Different Programming Languages
Kids are too young to make complex decisions such as the programming language they should pursue. And you always want them to be well-versed in various fields, so they are not forced to narrow down their options as they advance in their careers.
A good strategy for any parent teaching their kids to code is to take a more holistic approach. That is, instead of seeing coding in terms of the many programming languages such as python, JavaScript, Java, etc., you want to integrate coding in general as a critical element in your kids’ education. In other words, every programming language is essential and relevant in its own right. So your goal as a parent is to expose your kids to as many programming languages that they can manage.
A rule of thumb is, to begin with, the basics of computer programming using coding games. Next is to pick those easy-to-understand languages such as python before advancing to HMTL and perhaps CSS and JavaScript.
Another thing is to differentiate the real-world use cases of these languages. For example, HMTL, CSS, and JavaScript are the primary languages needed for web development. Others like C++ develop operating systems like Apple OS, while Java is common among mobile app developers.
Knowing these basics alone can help you gauge your kids’ interests and abilities and where they would fit better as they develop their coding skills.
Consider Some Coding Resources for Kids
Besides helping your kids pick a programming language they can excel at, you also want to provide them with the best coding resources available. Most of these resources are available as downloadable Android and iOS apps. An example is Daisy, the Dinosaur app that introduces kids to the concept of coding, allowing them to create a simple computer game towards the end of a learning curve. Others include Kids Ruby that introduces kids to Ruby code for iOS development, and Hopscotch, an iPad app with video tutorials meant to help kids program games. If your child is a bit older and shows a genuine interest in some of these introductory resources, consider signing them up for a more intensive online program like those at Coding Bootcamps. These can help to hone their skills and give them some real exposure to their chosen language.
Apart from the above coding resources, you also want to ensure your kids get high-quality coding education through in-person or online classes. The best coding schools for kids offer coaching programs and coding camps to accelerate the learning process.
Get Started Today and Make it Fun for Your Kids.
Teaching your kids to code can be a lengthy and tiresome process, but if you do it right, your future self will thank you for it. Helping your kids to develop some interest in coding or understanding the various programming languages isn’t enough. You also want to gather relevant resources and pick the best coding school that will mold your kid every step of the way.
That said, remember to encourage your kids to be consistent and persistent throughout the learning process. Try as much as you can to make coding fun and interesting for them, so they can keep pushing through the hurdles as they advance their coding skills.
