How to Teach Coding to Kids?

For students growing and today’s Era it is very important for them to have hands-on experience on other skills that will help them in driving in this digital age. 

And one of such fundamental skills is coding which allows students to grow in this technology driven world efficiently, which can be implemented in homeschooling, virtual schooling and in traditional schooling. Here’s a blog on Ways to Implement Coding into your Classroom.

Teaching coding to kids is not something that can be done in one day, rather it needs proper knowledge related to programming which will help them with their problem solving and analytical skills, creativity and critical thinking. 

It is an essential skill which will help students to grow into well rounded individuals in their professional work life setup. 

For the world that is driving on skills programming is an elephant in the room which is spread to masses and coding has been made accessible to everyone. 

In this Chaos of education and skill development there are certain things that are very beneficial for students with different learning needs and abilities. 

And coding is no different, every educator should know about teaching coding to students with different needs as by developing exciting teaching methodology it can work in favour for students with diverse and special needs. 

Teachers can always look up to blocks that talk about what to know about teaching coding to students with disabilities.

However introducing children to coding requires a structured approach which is engaging and informative at the same time. 

Further in this block we will discuss 10 effective steps that parents can follow to help children in learning coding at a young age.

1. Start with the Basics

While teaching coding to young children is very important for educators to understand that starting with the basic information is something that will be very beneficial for them in future. 

By explaining the hooks and crooks of coding like what coding is and how it actually works teachers can make it very simple for them to understand the basic functionality which will stay with them for a long time. 

It is suggested for educators to introduce simple concepts like algorithms, command and sequence in the very first place by using relatable examples of everyday life. 

It is very similar to a situation where a recipe is given to a cook with specific step by step instructions for them to help them understand the idea of sequential logic and its importance in the field. 

This might seem like a very overwhelming concept but it is also helpful for students to keep the language simple and not to confuse them with technical jargon at a very early stage. 

It is also helpful for students to know about binary code before teaching them about complex and advanced coding languages, where it forms the foundation of all programming languages. 

In the case of binary language it is for them to explain how computers understand and process instructions in the form of 1s and 0s.

This interesting concept will spark curiosity in them which will help them understand and grasp the idea about coding afterwards.

2. Use Interactive Tools

It is suggested for educators to use interactive tools and platforms which will make coding more approachable for young children. 

There are certain websites like code.org is scratch and tynker, which have a kid friendly interface for beginners and these platforms also have perfectly guided tutorials for them. 

Here’s a detailed blog on code.org and coding for kids to know the platform better and the benefits it has for young kids. 

These tools have drag and drop functionality which helps children to focus on coding with logic and creativity rather than worrying about complex concepts like syntax. 

Interactive platforms have gamification in them which makes learning a more enjoyable experience for children by turning abstract concepts of coding into a fun learning experience. 

For example when a Student starts solving puzzles and builds animation on interactive platforms they see immediate results on them; which motivates them and keeps them engaged on the platform to try and experiment more things.

3. Incorporate Games and Fun Activities

Parents can look for options that incorporate games and one activity on the coding platform making children’s learning experience enjoyable and engaging. 

Many coding platforms include game based lessons which help children solve problems and challenges by writing codes in them. 

There are certain ways by which a child can improve their coding skills and can look forward to becoming a programmer by practicing with the aim to grow in the industry. For the details read this blog on : how to improve your coding skills. 

Apps like Minecraft education and roblox studio help children to code their own game which helps them in both learning and creativity. 

Offline activities can also be effective where a child can learn unplugged coding and learn how to write commands with their friends in a collaborative setup. 

Easy approach towards coding which emphasizes on logical thinking in collaboration without any need of a computer.

4. Break Down Problems into Small Steps

At first coding can be an overwhelming task especially for beginners. There are certain books for elementary school kids that can help them to learn coding. 

To get the list of books suggested by industry experts for coding refer to this blog that in detail talks about : coding books for elementary. 

It is suggested for parents and schools to start teaching coding to kids at a very tender age where it is easier for them to understand the fundamental aspects of coding. 

Schools should look at it in a way that they teach children how to break down the problems into smaller and manageable chunks — the method is also known as decomposition. 

The method of decomposition is a fundamental aspect of computer programming where it helps students in simply finding the complex task. Before getting into the brief it is important to understand what is the best age for a child to start coding. 

For instance if a child is looking forward to designing a simple game it will be easier for parents and educators to guide students to first define the game rules and then look at the character aspect followed by their understanding of the flow of the game.

Later they can write the code for the user interaction and can implement it strategically with the help of coding. 

By breaking these complex processes into bite size chunks young children can reduce the stress accompanied by a task and can build confidence in themselves as they grow through the process.

5. Encourage Problem-Solving and Creativity

Coding is not just about writing codes in line and following patterns for any platform, rather it is more to do with problem solving skills and creativity in students. 

Parents often question the importance of coding although it offers numerous advantages there is a plan that needs to be followed for young children as they get initiated on the coding journey.

To get a detailed answer to all the questions read this blog that sums questions related to coding : why should you teach child coding. 

To simply put things together it encourages a child to think critically and come up with more creative and innovative solutions to the problem where they are presented with open ended challenges that might have multiple answers to them. 

This aspect of understanding multiple perspectives and comparing the possible solutions help students in designing games or building a simple application with their own brainstormed solution. 

While a child is looking forward to participating in the process, parents and educators can help children by asking questions like “how can we make this character move faster?” Or “What would happen if we change this command to make a particular change?”

All these enquiries will stimulate curiosity in children and will teach them to approach problems with different perspectives and compare the best suite answer or solution for those situations. 

Educational institutions nowadays are busy incorporating coding lessons for kids and somewhere in that struggle parents need to know about the benefits of coding lessons for kids and how it will enhance certain abilities in them.

6. Teach through Visual Coding Platforms

There are several visual coding platforms that are ideal for children when they start their coding journey like Scratch and Blockly. 

Coding is one of the most sought after skills when considering the world of employment for individuals but there are some coding websites that can help kids to learn coding from the comfort of their home with the help of professionals. Here’s a blog that talks about the best coding websites for kids. 

These platforms use colourful graphics in them which represent different commands which makes it easier for kids to understand the concept and logic behind coding. 

Platforms like Scratch and Blockly are ideal for young children thus, they do not overwhelm children by the concept of syntax and the errors that it can hold.

Today, the world has a very different understanding of learning, especially when it comes to skill development courses.

Unlike the traditional set-up, one can rely on the online platform for amazing educational content. In case, if they have any doubt, they can look for it! 

Refer to this blog that highlights the list of the best kid-friendly YouTube channels: Youtube channels for kids coding. 

For example a platform like scratch helps kids and understanding the platform with the help of drag and drop features helps them create animation stories or games more efficiently and effectively. 

The visual feedback provided on the platform helps students in understanding the cause and effective relationship which is very crucial for somebody who is learning coding to distinguish between the action and the reaction and in technical terms the code and the output.

To know more about the online coding courses read this blog on : Online Coding Courses That Will Improve Your Coding Skills

7. Make Learning Project-Based

Coding is a type of project based learning which makes it very powerful. Instead of solely focusing on the theoretical concept, kids can actually work on projects which interest them and gain hands-on experience. 

For example a student can create a simple website and also design games with the help of these coding lessons. Students can also create complex projects for the future. 

There are some online platforms to learn coding from specially for young kids where with the help of a set of code languages students can learn and pursue their careers in computer engineering programming web designing and many other sectors of the world. 

Projects provide kids with a sense of accomplishment in themselves where they see their ideas coming to life which is a game changing experience for them. 

There are certain facts about coding that every kid should know in order to be more engaged in the learning journey and to make the best out of their learning experience. 

All these accomplishments and small achievements encourage students to share their creations with their friends and family which boost their confidence and motivate them to tackle more complex projects in future with utmost dedication.

8. Foster Collaboration and Peer Learning

Coding does not have to be a solitary activity or academy curriculum for kids, rather it can be a skill development course that encourages kids to collaborate with their friends and code projects as per their interest. 

The fact that coding is a scale development subject, it has a lot to do with skills like problem solving skills, analytical skills, communication skills, time management skills and many others.

There is a connection between coding and resilience that cannot be neglected as it preserves a kids endeavour and demonstrates patience and resilience.  

While working in a team it teaches students the most valuable skills in their life which will provide them the ability to integrate diverse ideas into real life problems and even in coding. 

Collaborative platforms like github can be introduced to older kids to practice real world coding when they are looking forward to getting into programming and advanced level coding with platforms like Java, C++ or python. 

For advanced learners, students and parents can take help from the blog : coding vocabulary every kid should know. 

For younger children there are some group activities that parents and educators can take care of like coding games or team based challenges to create fun in learning and provide an interactive learning environment to children. 

Coding also helps children in facing different challenges and it offers a therapeutic method of copying up with academic stress and improves critical thinking abilities and confidence in them. Coding also helps kids in increasing motivation.

9. Provide Positive Reinforcement

Learning to code can be challenging especially for kids who are starting their coding journey at home. There are certain tips on how to teach coding at home that every parent should look at before starting their journey. 

Kids may face setbacks when starting their journey at a very young age or along the way it is very important to create an environment which keeps them motivated to learn. 

This positive reinforcement can be maintained by celebrating their success no matter how small or big it is, and also by encouraging them to encounter difficulties with resilience. 

Coding influences a student’s self esteem where recent studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between learning and the outcome it has on a child’s psychological development. 

There are certain phrases that parents and educators can consider to use while talking to kids to boost their confidence while going through their work and recognizing their hard work,  like “great job figuring that out” or “I believe you can find solutions to it” or “you are doing an amazing job!”. 

It is very important for parents to let them know that they are making mistakes and it is very natural to do so. They have to teach them that mistakes are a part of learning and every error is an opportunity for them to improve themselves. 

All the parents and educators can provide kids with a guide on how to find common coding language errors, making it easier for them to spot mistakes and find solutions to it without complicating them.

10. Encourage Persistence and Patience

Coding requires a lot of persistence and patience in kids.  

Teachers can teach students the value of perseverance by sharing stories of famous programmers.

The programmers who have made remarkable achievements and have achieved milestones in their life in the field of coding by overcoming challenges to achieve success. 

It helps students understand that learning coding is a journey and progress takes time. Parents often have this question in themselves: is coding hard for kids?  or will they ever be able to learn the basic concept? 

All these questions are natural as it is a skill that requires a lot of creativity and neck for problem solving, along with rigorous dedication which cannot happen in a day. 

It is suggested for educators and parents to encourage them to take breaks whenever they feel stuck with a concept and return to the problem with a fresh perspective. Very similar to what we do when solving math problems. 

Thus, we can conclude that: coding and maths are somewhere related to each other and there are some major reports that backup this ideology. 

Developing a mind set that is growth oriented will help them stay motivated and resilient throughout their coding journey. 

It is a very common challenge that parents face while teaching their kids and helping them out with their coding assignment as most often seen that they do not understand the subject that well. 

It is suggested for them to read blogs that highlight the strategies to complete coding homeworks smoother and well within the schedule.

Conclusion

In the era of digitalisation, learning skills that contribute to your professional life is very important. 

That’s why it is very important to understand the importance of coding in 21st century education. 

It is an important skill for students who are looking at life from a skill development perspective and are planning to pursue a career in programming and other computer related fields. 

Coding for kids on the other hand was sparked during the co-ed 19 pandemic where digitalisation brought an unprecedented level of comfort to people. 

In that error we have seen certain websites coming into existence that teach programming language from a career building point of view overcoming issues for parents and helping kids with their coding skill. 

Read this block that highlights the best websites for kids to learn coding. 

By incorporating some of the basics steps into kids’ learning journey coding can be made enjoyable and an enriching experience for them. The goal is not just to teach students programming skills but rather to inspire them for learning and build a love for innovation in them to promote lifelong learning.