The importance of teaching computer science to children cannot be overstated. Everyday life is inextricably linked to technology, and as a result, coding has emerged as an essential second language for both children and adults.
It can be challenging for parents to teach their children to code because they lack the experience themselves. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to help parents in bridging the gap and providing an excellent learning experience for their children.
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5 Common Coding Terms To Help Children Code Better
When you teach your children to code, they’ll learn to believe in themselves, increase their self-esteem, and appreciate empathy. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and constructive analysis are some of the essential skills that are fostered while they learn to code.
Getting your children interested in coding and programming can be an enjoyable and straightforward process, especially if you provide them with a secure and stimulating online learning environment.
1. Variable
A variable in programming is a numerical number that the program can alter in response to external conditions or input. In most cases, a program consists of instructions telling the computer what to do and the program’s data.
Variables are used in a computer program to store information that may be referenced and changed. As a result, our programs may be better understood by both the reader and ourselves, thanks to their descriptive names.
How Can Parents Use This Term in Day-to-Day Lives?
Parents can think of variables as little containers that store bits and pieces of data for later retrieval. They are used solely for labelling and storing data, and parents can then use this information to teach their children how to use the rest of the software.
For each coding language you study, you’ll discover the subtle differences in variable handling, scope assignment, and other aspects of that language’s syntax. Variables are used in software applications in all languages, regardless of programming.
2. Loop
Imagine being asked to write your name 100 times in a row. You’ll have to put in a lot of time and effort, and you may make some mistakes along the way. This is the ideal job for a computer, which can complete it quickly and accurately. Loops are an excellent way to take advantage of this feature. A loop is a section of code that is repeated over and over again.
There are two kinds of loops: “while loops” and “for loops.” A “while loop” is a conditional statement that repeats code. A “for-loop” is a programming construct that is used to continually execute a set of lines of code. In either case, loops will continue to repeat themselves as long as a certain condition is satisfied.
How Can Parents Use This Term in Day-to-Day Lives?
When a condition is met, the body of the loop is executed once before the loop’s condition is validated.
As an example, parents can think of a cash dispenser, such as an ATM. First, you must input your PIN number, which is the loop’s condition, before your PIN number can be validated.
Until a predetermined amount of retries, the loop repeats itself, and you must enter your PIN number again; otherwise, the loop quits.
3. Conditional Statement
Humans created computer systems to make their own lives easier. Computers help us in so many ways that it’s impossible to list them all.
Using conditional statements, expressions, or even just conditionals, programmers can instruct a computer to perform a specific action only if certain criteria are met.
In various programming languages, conditional statements can tell the computer what to do in certain situations. According to the functions the programmer has in mind, these decisions only occur if and only if they are true or false.
How Can Parents Use This Term in Day-to-Day Lives?
Parents frequently explain to their children that stepping outside without sunscreen will result in sunburn. This is a conditional statement, as you are stating that something occurs when certain conditions are met (e.g., by not wearing sunscreen, you get a sunburn).
In the context of a conditional statement, false or true statements can be made. The statement is a conditional statement because of the way it is phrased rather than its actual meaning.
4. Function
A function is essentially a “chunk” of code that you may reuse rather than rewrite it all the time. Programmers can fragment an issue into smaller pieces, each of which performs a specific purpose. This is possible through the use of functions.
Once a function has been implemented, the nuances of how it works can be easily forgotten. The programmer can focus on the big picture by abstracting the small details.
How Can Parents Use This Term in Day-to-Day Lives?
Input and output are required for all programming functions. Using the function’s input, the output is generated according to its instructions. Parents can use the example of a cow who eats grass (the input) and produces milk (the product) that a dairy farmer then milks (the output).
Programming functions, for example, may accept any integer or number as an input. The function may multiply the input by two to produce the output. Because of this, the function’s output would be double the input.
5. Bug
A computer program or system that has a flaw or error that causes it to perform in an unintended manner is known as a “software bug.“
Errors caused by bugs can have far-reaching consequences. The term “bug” is commonly used to express an unanticipated problem with hardware or software.
How Can Parents Help Their Children Avoid Coding Bugs?
● Help them make a strategy before they begin coding.
● Encourage children to sketch out their codes initially on paper and ink if you’re teaching them the basics of coding.
● Take a break if you’re getting too frustrated. Taking a break from the computer will help you think more clearly.
Coding helps your children recall topics and code more effectively. Your children’s capacity to solve problems allows them to recognize problems, make plans, and choose the best course of action.
Children are stranded, asking, “What do I do next?” due to the fragility of this cognitive function. Bugs in the code are unavoidable, and this is significant because it helps children to think beyond the box when it comes to real-life problem-solving.
So, how do you feel about this article? Please let us know in the comments, and for more information on coding, visit BYJU’S FutureSchool Blog.
References
1. While loop Facts for Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://kids.kiddle.co/While_loop
2. For loop Facts for Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://kids.kiddle.co/For_loop
3. C Conditional Statement: IF, IF Else and Nested IF Else with Example. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2022, from https://www.guru99.com/c-if-else-statement.html
4. What Is a Function in Programming? (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2022, from https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-a-function-programming/
5. What are computer bugs? – BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z3tbwmn/articles/ztgjq6f
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