Key Points at a Glance:
- Learning to code is a good way to ensure your child’s success in today’s digital world.
- Daisy the Dinosaur is a good program for introducing young kids to coding.
- Subscription-based CodaKid uses a lot of games and lessons to teach children how to code and create their own games or apps.
- Lightbot uses puzzles to teach kids how to code. However, some of its puzzles may be too difficult for younger kids, but more fun for older kids.
There are many reasons why kids should learn how to code.
Luckily there are now many coding programs for kids, from websites to apps that can help them learn coding in a fun way.
Read this article to know the reasons why your child should start to learn to code, and the coding programs that can help them the most while letting them have fun.
Why Should Kids Learn Coding?
First, let’s talk about why kids should do coding.
The number one reason is to ensure they can become successful and have a better understanding of how things work in today’s digital age.
Just look around you and you can see that technology is everywhere and has become a huge part of almost everyone’s lives.
Many parents of school-aged children in the United States believe that coding is a crucial skill now. Also, it is something that children would have to learn, no matter which field they choose to enter in the future.
Aside from that, coding develops children’s creativity, problem-solving, computational thinking, persistence, logical thinking, confidence, and communication skills.
Coding Programs for Kids
Parents can introduce their children to coding through coding software and apps for kids. There are lots of kid-friendly coding programs out there, so we’ve selected three to help you get started.
Daisy the Dinosaur
Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?
Daisy the Dinosaur teaches kids ages 5 to 7 years old the basics of coding. It can be downloaded through the App Store for free.
The program is a good way to introduce kids to coding before they move on to more advanced beginner programs. The program uses a drag-and-drop interface and simple instructions to guide children step by step. Children can make Daisy move around by coding or giving her directions. In addition, the program uses cute colors and images for the sun, the sky, the stars, and so on.
Scratch, Jr.
Scratch, Jr. is another coding program for kids 5 to 7 years old. It’s free for iOS, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, and Android users.
In this program, children learn to program their own interactive stories and games by snapping programming blocks together to make their characters dance, sing, jump, and do other movements. The program also supports early childhood numeracy and literacy and has been designed with young children’s emotional, social, personal, and cognitive development in mind.
This software is actually inspired by Scratch, the programming language now used by millions around the globe. This program, then, serves as a great introduction to that programming language.
Lightbot
Lightbot is a mobile app that is available on the App Store and Google Play for $2.99.
It teaches kids aged 9 and older to code through puzzles and is originally designed for first-time coders. Lightbot teaches children how to be logical and patient as they work to achieve a specific goal.
Lightbot’s puzzles may be a bit challenging for younger kids. However, older kids are sure to love them, and as they go along, they are sure to experience more challenging puzzles.
It’s up to the kids’ abilities if they want to continue using Lightbot. However, in case it’s too much for a younger child, there’s Lightbot Jr., which is made specifically for children ages 4 and up and is a simplified version of Lightbot.
There are more coding programs for kids that you can access through PCs, tablets, and smartphones. Sometimes, the best one for other children may not be the best for your kid. Don’t hesitate to explore and try as many as you can to choose which program your child enjoys the most
The first thing you need is a study space and a system at home for monitoring coding school franchise work and notes sent home.
The computer your child uses should be in a centralized location such as a family room or kitchen; so putting an "in box" type basket and a desktop file system with color coded folders and supplies can go near the computer.
Have a dry erase monthly calendar in this study area.
Make note of classes and when assignments or projects are due.Read More
