10 Fun Ways to Teach Coding Languages to kids
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- July 22, 2021
As STEM is becoming an increasingly lucrative field, schools are beginning to reflect this in their curriculums. Elementary schools are starting to offer computer science classes, and young children are encouraged to code. Studies have shown children as young as five years old are ready to being learning basic coding concepts. Allowing your child to explore computer science from a young age will open doors in fields like software engineering and app development; here are ten ways to get them ahead in programming.
- Coding Apps
Scratch, Kodable, and Daisy the Dinosaur are great apps you can use to get your kid started. These applications provide coding concepts in colorful and easy-to-understand formats that encourage children’s creativity along with their analytical skills.
- Coding Toys
Toys are another great way to implement problem-solving skills into their playtime. Like Mochi and Code-a-pillar, there are plenty of board games and interactive toys that stimulate your child’s imagination and encourage their capabilities.
- Intertwine Coding concepts in everyday activities
Basic coding concepts are surprisingly easy for young children to understand. Concepts such as sequences can be taught by having children identify the proper order of everyday tasks such as brushing their teeth or getting dressed. Implementing these ideas in their routines help children become accustomed to them.
- Coding Worksheets
Worksheets can be an impactful educational tool. They provide a direct visual of how things like loops and branching work. Children have the chance to analyze the problems presented in depth through these fun worksheets, which can be found online.
- Coding Websites
Computer skills are an important part of understanding code; luckily, there are websites like Codakid.com, ScratchJr.org, and Codemoji.com where children can play around and familiarize themselves with code. These websites use pictures to represent different forms of code that allow kids to easily understand the tools available to them.
- Encourage puzzle solving
Puzzles help children refine their language, concentration, and logic. These are all important skills used in computer programming; developing these can give children an advantage in more complex coding concepts.
- Math Based toys and Games
Math is an integral part of coding. Teaching children early on math in fun and engaging ways encourages them to explore these ideas. Having a positive understanding of math will give kids that head start in moving toward real coding structures.
- Use a Mentor
Coding can be a difficult topic to work through with children. Sometimes a mentor can be a great help in teaching more complicated ideas. Bringing in an expert can give children the advancement they need to become future programming masters.
- Encourage problem solving skills
As children develop, so does their view of the world around them and how they can interact. This means they will begin running into problems they have never encountered before and will have to make their own solutions. Encouraging their solution process will develop children’s confidence in their abilities to solve problems which is very important in coding.
- Coding Books
Books are a good tool to teach your children coding in imaginative ways. Stories like Laurem Ipsum use fairytale storytelling to explain key concepts in programming and computer science in easy-to-understand and engaging ways.
With these tips, you can be sure to get your child ahead in the STEM field and develop a future computer science master.