Coding is an essential skill nowadays. To learn how to properly code takes time and because of that, it’s important to start as early as possible. So, teaching children how to code is quite a useful thing to do. But how do we do that? In this article we will discuss the most effective ways to achieve that.
Why is it important for a child?
Let’s first answer a quick question. Why is it so that we should teach children to code? Well, to start with, coding is quite beneficial when it comes to future opportunities. In the era of digital fluency and AI, coding is pretty much everywhere. It will also allow them to better understand the world around them. Plus, it improves creativity and problem-solving due to being focused exactly on those pillars.
Let’s start with gamification
Of course, one of the first things you should aim to achieve is to get kids interested in coding. If you manage to accomplish that task, further development will be quite easier than it would be if the child accepts it as another mundane chore to do.
The most effective way to teach children to code is through gamified experience. For example, you can start teaching Java coding language and show the kid that they can implement their own Minecraft mods in the popular game.
Keep it fun
Remember that the process should be fun. The widely used first step in programming – learning how to print ‘Hello world’ on the screen – will fail to be a good introduction to the fascinating things programming can accomplish. Thus, try to find a more creative way to introduce children to the world of coding.
Every time one tries to teach children how to do a new and probably hard task, one should aim to show kids the benefits of accomplishing it, the fun way to get through it, and the mindset they should set. Mindset is quite an important tool that we have on our belts and, as such, we should teach children how to use it and to make the best out of it.
For instance, have the child think of a video game or a website that they would like to play or visit. They explain that they can create this themselves and that you would provide them with the methods to do so. Getting them sparked up looking forward to a well-defined goal can boost productivity, creativity, and cooperation on the child’s behalf.
Also, implementing fun will make programming an enjoyable activity rather than a tedious task that the kid looks forward to getting rid of. If you wish to introduce children to the wonders of coding, you should have an approach that highlights the fun parts while not neglecting the fact that things will be hard at first and frustrating sometimes.
Take a digital approach to learning
There are many useful platforms and apps out there that aim to provide a gamified way to learn to code: CodeSpark Academy, LightBot, Kodable. You can really make use of such resources should you find yourself teaching kids to program. Of course, it’s much easier to learn something while you are playing, rather than rote rehearsing it, especially for kids, and even more for younger children.
Don’t overlook the possibility to use an online course suited for children’s needs. There are awesome resources online that are aimed directly at kids of all ages: Codakid, Scratch, Codemoji, Codemonkey, Tynker. They are compiled by professionals who have worked with younger programmers and have the knowledge and the experience to provide a fun, creative, and beneficial course for kids to learn to code at their own pace and with a smile on their face. Such resources can prove to be highly beneficial for both the student and the teacher in the coding journey. Use ones that are reputable, reliable, and proven to work. Go for those platforms that provide a gamified experience, as to offer the child the option to play while coding and to have fun while learning.
Such online courses best implement the most important points we’ve highlighted. They introduce the kids to programming in a fun and creative way, sparking their interest in the area and allowing them to play around and create their own personal projects.
Never forget to play
In conclusion, the most effective way to learn to code for a child is through play. Children of all ages learn better through interactive learning due to being highly involved in the process and having more fun while doing tasks and activities. That helps them internalize the knowledge they are receiving and lets them crave for more rather than for the next break. So, you can take advantage of the many online resources there are targeted specifically at children of younger ages. For example, particular courses are highly effective at providing online tutoring in the coding world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Fields is a creator of Bestessayserviceradar and helps students of all ages get help with their assignments and studies. She offers advice and reviews on many topics, such as ‘what is the best online service’, ‘ is trustmypaper scam’, ‘should I use 99papers’, ‘which service to trust’, and others.
