For kids who are just starting, learning coding languages can seem quite overwhelming at first. However, learning something new is not easy, especially programming skills. There are different coding languages for different age groups and experience levels. Young kids that have an innate talent and basic programming skills can dive straight into complex programming languages like C++. However, some kids that don’t know about coding languages, especially ages 5-8, need to start with visual programming languages that help them to build interest in a fun and gaming environment. As kids get older, ages 13 and up, they can be taught full coding languages. The best programming language will depend on the unique capabilities of each child.
Programming languages are coding languages which are used to give specific instructions to a machine, specifically a computer, to get the desired result. Programmers make use of their programming skills in a specific coding language to communicate with computers and develop software programs.
These are the best coding languages for kids to learn.
Scratch
- Scratch is a visual programming language for kids who are new to coding and have just started.
- It offers a solid foundation for kids to learn programming principles.
- Scratch is a high-level, block-based coding language developed by the MIT Media Lab.
- Learning from Scratch builds strong creative and logical reasoning skills.
- Out of all the coding languages, Scratch is one of the most intuitive ones to learn due to its drag-and-drop interface and colorful blocks.
- Scratch can be used to create games, build animations, and apps too.
- The Scratch programming language is recommended for kids ages 8 and above.
- For kids between 5-7 years of age, ScratchJr is an even more intuitive option.
- It provides an interactive visual environment for young kids.
- It is ideal for kids who are young and don’t have any prior programming language experience, visual learners.
HTML and CSS
- HTML and CSS are website languages and are not technically full-fledged programming languages.
- Rather than putting kids straight into programming, introducing them to HTML and CSS can help the kids learn how to deal with text-based syntax.
- Both HTML and CSS lay a strong foundation for learning core programming languages such as PHP and JavaScript.
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a language that communicates to the web browser how the contents should be displayed.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) works in tandem with HTML.
- CSS is used for the style and layout of web pages.
JavaScript
- It is a lightweight, front-end, and object-oriented programming language.
- It is a highly popular and widely used programming language.
- It is used to develop highly complex and interactive apps that run on a user’s components.
- It is mainly used for web development.
- It is ideal for kids who are really interested in web design and development.
- It is great for kids who want to learn the basics of programming.
Java
- It is a Minecraft coding language ideal for intermediate students who want to develop their skill sets and create robust programs.
- Java is a highly popular programming language used by developers around the world.
- Being a statistically typed programming language, it requires the learner to specify variables.
- Apps developed using Java are highly scalable and stable.
- Compared to other coding languages, Java can take a longer time to master for kids. It requires patience on the part of the kids.
- With Java, kids can build Android apps, game engines, and even back-end environments.
Python
- It is one of the easiest coding languages to learn for kids due to its simplified syntax.
- Beginners can get started quickly with Python as only a few lines of code are needed.
- The Python code reads just like normal English speech, making things easy and convenient for kids.
- This programming language has built-in functionalities, making it even easier for kids to learn.
PHP
- It is a programming language that kids should learn, preferably after learning HTML.
- It is a server-side scripting language used for developing interactive and dynamic web pages.
- There are lots of online resources available for learning PHP.
- It is easy to learn for those who have some programming skills.
- For the transition from block-based programming to syntax-based languages.
- It can be used in multiple domains and various fields, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, etc.
- It has a large number of libraries.
Ruby
- It is an object-oriented programming language for beginners.
- It has a syntax that is easy to understand and read.
- Children and developers who are beginners can create programs with fewer lines of code.
- Most of the Ruby language is self-explanatory and kids don’t have to spend much time learning it.
Visual Basic.NET (VB.NET)
- This is Microsoft’s object-oriented programming language.
- It runs on the.NET framework and is used to build and deploy apps for Windows.
- It is ideal for children who have a basic understanding of programming languages.
- The syntax of VB.NET is easy to understand.
- Visual Basic provides a beginner-friendly coding environment for kids.
- Learning Visual Basic at a young stage gives kids the platform and base they require to learn coding languages such as C++ and C# in the years to come.
How can parents help to improve the learning process of coding languages for their kids?
Learning coding skills is not easy for kids, especially if they have just started. However, with the right strategy and environment in place, the learning process of coding can be made easy and convenient for kids. When learning coding languages, timing is important. Parents should keep track of how much time their kids spend on learning coding skills. They should manage the time effectively and also keep track of the progress and make a note of the time needed to learn one particular language. Having a separate room at home or a study area without any disturbance or distraction can make learning coding languages convenient. This would help the kids to focus more and improve their concentration.
Coding education is a must for children of today’s generation. There are several coding benefits for kids, from nurturing creativity to developing problem-solving skills. For parents, coding skills are one of the greatest investments for their children. It is important for parents to let their kids explore coding languages. Developing coding skills from a young age will give a child a creative and competitive edge.
