Most of you have probably come across this question recently and are probably perplexed or overwhelmed by the torrent of information currently available on the internet. If you’re looking for a query like this, it’s because something about coding might have piqued your interest. Previously, some of you may not have considered coding for children as an important aspect of learning in a technologically advanced world, but now that coding is so important, you may want to try teaching your children to code.

Some may also think, ‘Maybe we are not prepared enough,’ or ‘Deep down, does prior experience matter?

Don’t worry. Regardless of whether you have a basic understanding of coding or not, this blog will assist you in understanding the fundamentals of how you can begin the coding journey with your child. All you need to know is that you don’t need extensive programming knowledge to teach your children to code.

  • Understanding the Terminology of Coding

The first step is to recognize the line between what you know and what you don’t know when it comes to coding. Understanding the definition of coding and determining how you want to define it for children is one way to accomplish this. This can be your guiding principle as you teach or explain, or when they have questions, or if they are confused.

So, what is coding all about?

Simply put, coding is the process of telling a computer what to do through a step-by-step command process so that the computer can carry out the instructions and achieve a specific result.

What is the purpose of coding?

Coding is used to tell smartphones which apps to run and consoles which games to play. Coding powers a lot of what your children do on their laptops, on the websites they visit, and on social media. So, code is used to bring almost everything to life, from smart watches to virtual reality, Ai, and lifelike robots.

  • Knowing the Coding Languages

Code is telling a computer what to do, so there must be a certain way to tell it what to do, isn’t it? Yes! By using coding language! 

Coding language is basically a means of passing instructions along to a computer. However, languages come in many forms and functions. 

There are numerous coding languages to introduce your children to, and determining which one is appropriate for them to learn can be challenging because each coding language has its own operating system style and intended usage.

There are many ways to introduce coding to your child, including choosing a language based on their interests. So, we recommend that you read this blog for a better understanding.

Suggested reading on Coding languages for children. (hyperlink for articles live link)

  • Understanding Your Child’s Interests

It is critical to capture the attention of young minds in order to teach them new concepts. So, connect coding to those things that your child already enjoys. You can pair Java with Minecraft, Lua with Roblox, Python with artificial intelligence, visual coding with LEGO®, or C# with augmented reality. They’ll be hooked and intrigued once they learn that their favorite video games involve coding and that they can make their own games. 

Similarly, their favorite apps or videos can capture their interest when you connect them with coding. Even if they do not care about any of that, show them how data science and artificial intelligence relate to sports or how pressing a button on their gadgets carries out a code and brings about a desired action.

When you’re first starting out, it’s better to cover a wide range of topics rather than dive into technical details. Allow your children to pursue their own interests. Once your child has had a taste of what the coding world has to offer, they will be eager to learn more about the aspects that interest them.

References:

How to Teach Coding to Kids in 2022 – Step by Step Guide – Codevidhya. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://codevidhya.com/teach-coding-kids/