Skip to main content

How to Get Kids Started with Coding

By Berit Thorkelson from 

Your child may already be learning the basics of coding in school or an after-school program, but here's how to help her hone her skills at home.
Learning the language that computers speak can seem like a steep technical challenge for an adult, let alone an elementary-school kid. But learning to code is the kind of parent-approved “gaming” kids need more of: It builds problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and it’s creative too. “Computers are changing every field. Having a basic understanding of how this stuff works is just as important as learning math,” says Hadi Partovi, the tech entrepreneur behind Hour of Code and code.org.

The Basics

Many experts recommend that kids begin with visual block-based coding, in which they use a mouse or a finger to “drag and drop” blocks of language on a computer or a tablet screen. Following commands that appear in each block, such as “move 10 steps” and “repeat 4 times,” programs the computer to create basic game components, animations, and more. The nonprofit website code.org is a great place to start, says Lindsey Handley, Ph.D., cofounder of ThoughtSTEM, a San Diego–based EdTech startup. Its free Code Studio program has hundreds of block-based courses and activities to choose from. For instance, kids can make their own Star Wars game and program Elsa from Frozen to design snowflake art. The website also has information for parents on the importance of computer programming and a search function to find local in- and out- of-school coding programs. 

More Creative

If your child likes options, two of the most popular block-based coding websites, Scratch (free) and Tynker ($8 monthly), offer hundreds of activities. Scratch’s huge user  library lets you browse for games that match your child’s interests. “If  he’s really into dogs, for example, he can create a game where the dog collects bones or an app designed to teach people how to care for dogs,” Dr. Handley says. Tynker offers daily missions and 18 self-guided programming courses. Your child can even move on to programming drones or robots.

Graduating to Text

You’ve probably heard of JavaScript or Python, which are coding languages that programmers use to instruct computers what to do. Rather than dragging and dropping blocks, they use commands with typed text. If you have a Minecraft-obsessed kid at home, try leveraging her passion to help her transition to text-based coding. Dr. Handley’s LearnToMod ($30 annually) hosts hundreds of self-paced coding tutorials, which start with drag-anddrop and transition to text-based coding “modding.” Kids enter a set of commands to create elements such as custom monsters and armor that gives them jumping power. CodaKid ($25 monthly per course) offers text-based coding from the start through mobile-app design and Minecraft modding  with Java. “Minecrafters are willing to learn code because they know  the payout is going to be this awesome way to play in a game they already love,” says David Dodge, CEO of CodaKid, game designer, and software architect.

Tech Subscription

You can also motivate your  child to continue coding with Bitsbox ($30 monthly). This service delivers monthly text-coding boxes via old-school mail. Kids choose one of many cards outlining an app, build that app on the Bitsbox website, and then move it to a tablet or smartphone with a QR code. “Coding is inherently fun, but, like anything, it can be hard to get kids to stick with it,” Dodge says. “Receiving a present in the mail helps."
 Hope this helps!
~Miss Elena



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Useful Websites to Encourge Student Creativity

The following websites are wonderful in terms of supporting your little student's creativity. 3D Printing for Dummies http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/3d-printing-for-dummies-how-do-3d-printers-work-8668937.html Andrew Walker explains how 3D printers work. Activities for Kids from Smithsonian http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/studentactivities.html This site provides activities for young people. Building Big http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/index.html Students learn what it takes to build big as they explore structures such as skyscrapers, tunnels, domes, among others. Code Monster www.crunchzila.com/cide-monster This site contains 58 short lessons that teach kids to program, from basic resizing objects to more complex animation. Crypto Kids www.nsa.gov/kids/ At this site from the National Security Agency, you can learn all about codes and ciphers and even create your own. Many games and activities are included. Kids Science E

Poll Reveals All-Time Best Board Books

An online poll of readers produced the 100 best board books according to School Library Journal. You can find them all at the following address: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/28/announcing-the-top-100-board-books-poll/ Here are the very best of the best, a Top 10 of titles that are likely very familiar to every parent, educator, and child. 10. Moo, baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton 9.    The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton 8.    The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats 7.    Freight Train by Donald Crews 6.    Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann 5.    Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell 4.    Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See ? by Bill Martin, Jr. 3.    Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton 2.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 1.  Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown We have copies of all these titles, located in the Children's Playroom. My favorite is Good Night Gorilla. What's yours? ~ Miss Elena Enjoy!

How to Ease Your Child’s Separation Anxiety from healthychildren.org

Separation anxiety varies WIDELY between children. Some babies become hysterical when mom is out of sight for a very short time, while other children seem to demonstrate ongoing anxiety at separations during infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool. To All You Working Moms & Dads The trick for surviving separation anxiety demands  preparation , brisk transitions, and the evolution of time. I would suggest we parents suffer as much as our children do when we  leave . Even though we are often reminded that our children stop crying within minutes of our leave-taking, how many of you have felt like you’re “ doing it all wrong ” when your child clings to your legs, sobs for you to stay, and mourns the parting? As a  working mom , separation anxiety creates questions for me. Although it is an entirely normal behavior and a beautiful sign of a meaningful attachment, separation anxiety can be exquisitely unsettling for us all. Here are facts about separation anxiety and tips to improve