How to Engage Kids in Learning to Code

Computers have invaded every aspect of our modern-day living. Young kids sometimes see either or both of their parents on the computer or laptop. They also might notice these machines in the school office, library, etc. Curious, each young kid will have wondered at some point how these computers work and their purpose. 

This is why introducing the young ones to coding is a great idea. By doing this, a child feels involved in the functioning of computers. As a result, the kid suddenly gets a rare sense of fulfillment and participation in what is otherwise something meant exclusively for grown-ups.

But how does one get a child interested in software and coding for computers? To do this, the person will first have to explain computers’ significance in their lives. They will also have to give the child an idea of how computers work. Following are some tips to remember when engaging kids in learning to code.

Demonstrate the Importance of Coding to The Child: What Do Computer Codes Achieve?

Parents and schoolteachers should first explain to young students the importance of computers and coding that helps the computer perform specific tasks. Then, they should introduce and explain the concept of coding as a set of commands that enables the computer to accomplish something.

Say, the teacher at school can show kids how to change the color of a square by changing the code. Or they could show a list of numbers in Excel, which, when dragged down, the list items automatically get added up to a total.

Give Kids Examples of Battery-Operated Toys and Electronics to Help Them Understand Machinery Better.

Children will better understand computers when they first learn about similar electronic types of machinery like calculators or toy cars. Then, they can learn about electricity and batteries, providing the necessary fuel for a toy car to zoom around. An 8- or a 10-year-old will not have a problem understanding basic principles of motor power used to help toy trains move or support a battery-operated doll open and close her eyes. Parents can open up the toy or gadget and show children the machinery’s internal wiring and other parts if needed. 

Help Youngsters Create Easy, Interesting Programs.

To make software coding attractive, teachers at school and parents should begin with accessible and enjoyable commands.

We talked earlier about showing kids how to change the color of a square in a picture on the computer. There are simple languages like HTML that allow individuals to write in a variety of styles and with fonts of different colors.

Kids learning basic HTML commands will be delighted to see different-colored writing on their HTML pages. In addition, being able to change the style of such a report will further excite them.

Similarly, a simple JavaScript code that lets the computer tell the time is something young kids will be excited about learning. 

Introduce Coding as a Joint Activity: Kids Love Working with Elders/Parents and Friends.

Besides beginning with small and fun commands and programs, kids should learn and practice coding as a joint activity. In school, they should do so with their friends and at home, with their parents. Children naturally love the company of their classmates and friends, and a joint activity is bound to increase their enthusiasm and excitement for it.

Likewise, young kids at home love the attention and admiration their parents give them, especially when they successfully create a small, simple piece of code.

Ensure Acknowledgement and Rewarding the Child On Successfully Writing a Code.

To complete things, there is the essential classic factor of offering praise and rewarding kids whenever they successfully create computer code. This helps raise confidence and self-esteem in young children, who feel that their work is appreciated and valued. Not to mention that the reward is temptation and motivation enough for children to take to coding. However, rewards also create a sense of competition; young kids will work harder for the prize and, in turn, try to make a great code to deserve the reward.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, it may be best to omit a question if it is the kind that would be asked in a Google interview. Covering a broad range of subjects is preferable to delving deeply into technical aspects when first starting. Let your children pursue their interests. Your child will be eager to investigate the programming characteristics they find interesting after tasting what it offers.

The process of introduction to coding for kids should be such that they see a tangible, exciting change in the output. In addition, the result of the command or program should motivate kids more to learn to code.