Fun Ways to Introduce Coding Languages to Children

Growing up in a digital environment, children need to learn to code just as much as they need to learn to read and do math. Learning to code is something that everyone can do. Many believe it is only for adults, but that is not the case. Children as young as toddlers may learn to code. Yes, this is true!

Should You Teach Children to Code?

Coding already controls so much of our daily lives, and it’s only natural to assume that it will continue to do so in the future. So, parents should think about teaching their children to code or seeing if it is something they enjoy doing.

So, What is Coding All About?

Simply put, coding is the process of teaching a computer to do a task using a list of instructions. Codes get the computer to do what it’s told to do to achieve a specified result.

What is the Purpose of Coding?

Every time you buy something online, check the weather app, or play a favourite video game, you should thank developers for teaching devices how to do their jobs. 

We use coding to tell our smartphones which applications to launch and our gaming consoles which games to play. Coding powers much of what children do on their laptops, the websites they visit, and also social media. 

Computers are intelligent, yet without code, they would be worthless. The computer is merely an obedient rule-follower, and everything is brought to life by code. Thus, the main function of a coding language is to convey instructions to a machine.

Benefits of Learning Coding 

Children have a natural ability to understand the notion of coding languages. Learning to code at an early age can lay the groundwork for your child’s future success. But, like everything that catches the imagination, it must be enjoyable!

Coding teaches children how to do things like:

• How to solve problems logically by following a set of actions or directions
• How to think outside the box and experiment with new ideas and solutions
• How to inculcate soft skills such as cooperation and adaptability  
• How to build academic foundations

Choosing the Right Coding Program for Your Child

The first thing to ensure is that programming languages are not the same as human languages. Instead, each computer coding language is distinct and works with particular instructions and acronyms. 

When deciding which coding software is best for your child, keep in mind what they are interested in. 

The table below lists a childrens’ coding guide to programming languages, including their purposes and levels of difficulty.

Your child also doesn’t have to commit to just one coding software. The fundamentals of one coding language often overlap with those of another, so progressing will be faster and easier once your youngster has grasped the basics.

Fun Activities to Teach Children How to Code

Coding is best taught through hands-on games and activities that encourage children to think like computer programmers. As a result, activities that foster logical thinking while also posing a challenge to solve are ideal. 

It’s simple to teach children to code, especially if you make it fun and interactive. Children are more inclined to learn when they are having fun. They won’t even know they’re acquiring the skills because of the interesting and engaging exercises.

Almost any game or activity that requires math abilities is a good coding activity. Here are some coding activity suggestions to help children think like computer coders.

1. Solving a Maze

This is an excellent code activity for developing resilience. If children discover they are on the wrong track, they must return and try again until they find another road to take. 

To add to the enjoyment, pair up children and make a blindfolded maze. One kid should play the role of the “computer,” while the other should play the part of the “programmer.” The programmer must supply instructions (algorithms!) to guide the blindfolded computer through the maze.

2. Story Sequence

All children like a good narrative, so why not break it down for them?

Storytelling is an excellent approach to help beginners learn to code. Break the narrative up into parts, possibly by picture, mix them up, and have the children reassemble the story.

To read the narrative from beginning to end, children will need to examine each part and think rationally to figure out which portion of the story goes first and arrange each item in the correct sequence. This teaches the critical ability of sequencing, which is essential for learning to code.

3. Puzzles

Problem-solving is one of the skills required of computer programmers. Children enjoy puzzles since it provides them with a task to analyze the puzzle’s components before putting them all together to solve the challenge. Breaking down a large visual into little stages is at the heart of coding!

4. Building Blocks

Building blocks are ideal for inspiring future programmers. Children can use their imaginations to create something they can be proud of. Building something out of blocks requires patience, perseverance, and determination, all of which are essential computer programming qualities!

It’s also vital to think logically. For example, children must consider how the blocks can balance and where they should be placed to do so.

Let them practice forming their instructions to “teach” how to create their design. A fundamental coding notion is the creation of instructions.

To avoid any confusion, introduce coding to children in tiny steps. Begin by describing coding to them in a simple, creative, and fun way, and then show its use and application. Next, tell them things that will spark their interest, such as how they can operate the computer since it cannot function without code. 

What is the best way to teach your children to code? Let us know in the comments. Visit the BYJU’S FutureSchool blog to learn more about coding, or sign up your child for a FREE trial class in coding.