Learn to Code – Tips to Make Coding Easy and Fun for Kids
The tech industry in today’s world demands coding skills. For securing a job in today’s IT industry, coding is one of the top STEM skills. In the fast-paced and tech-savvy world that we are living in, students learn to code, not just in colleges and universities, but also in schools. Most schools in India have adopted the STEM based curriculum, for which computer programming and coding are indispensable. Coding is one of those technology skills that have become the need of the hour.
The purpose of learning to code is to write a chain of commands by using the syntax of a programming language, with the ultimate goal of automating a process. It is essential to write the right lines of code and design the right process, without which the program won’t function.
Here are some useful tips that can help children learn coding.
Start with drag and drop programming language
- Before kids learn to program hands-on with the actual programming language, it is best for them to learn to code with a drag and drop programming language.
- A drag and drop programming language is a visual interface where the syntax is not known. This means that children can learn to program by dragging blocks and puzzles and fitting them in the right place.
- Even small kids can learn drag and drop programming by focusing on the logic of an algorithm without worrying about the semicolons, curly brackets, etc.
- This visual programming style makes it easy and fun for children to learn to program before they actually move on to text-based programming.
- Scratch is one such block-based programming language, using which kids can drag and drop code blocks to build characters and games.
Introducing the real coding languages
- Once the children are familiar with drag and drop programming, it is time to introduce to them the different programming languages like Java, JavaScript, C++, and Python.
- It is essential to let the kids know how these programming languages function and how they can be used to provide instructions to a computer.
- Exposure to different programming languages will enable parents to know whether their kids really have an interest and inclination towards programming or not. If yes, then which programming languages are they really interested in?
- When children learn to program, they harness their problem-solving skills as well.
Making coding fun, interesting, and interactive for kids
- When kids first learn to code, they might find coding a bit challenging and difficult, more so even dull and dry.
- However, if there are coding challenges, and incentives associated with getting it right, coding for kids can be more enjoyable and fascinating.
- Active participation of the parents and everyone in the family is essential for kids to learn coding in a fun and exciting way.
- For example, parents can positively incentivize their kids if they finish a certain number of technology projects. The incentive may be to go to the beach or more screen time for their kids.
Understanding the relationship between technology skills and future job opportunities in various industries
- The tech skills like programming and coding can not only help students in pursuing a career in the technology industry, but other industries as well.
- Programmers and coders are required in various fields like healthcare, banking and finance, data science, pharmaceuticals, gaming, and many others.
- It is essential for kids not just to learn coding, but understand why they are actually learning it.
- In fact, kids must be encouraged and told the various career options they can look forward to, where the application of coding can be seen.
When children learn to code, it opens up a world of opportunities for them. When children learn coding at a young age, it is a skill that will be used at every stage in their life, till the time they enter the industry, and even after that.
The individuals who want to secure a tech job should know programming and coding, at least the basics. The knowledge learned in schools can be implemented in reality when kids complete their education and choose to make a career in a STEM field. Not just IT, the importance of coding and programming is visible in other fields as well.
In the digital world that we are in today, children should not only learn coding by consuming knowledge, but practically implementing it by creating their own technology projects.
In order to learn coding online, there are several training programs and online courses conducted. One such place where kids can learn coding online is AI School of India, which provides training to students in artificial intelligence and coding to make them future ready in their careers. AI School of India offers various courses for students aged 7 to 18.
