How to start kids off with coding

O

OhYeah84

Executive Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Messages
7,262
Reaction score
6,995
Hi All,

I am looking at getting my kids set up to learn coding. Basically to learn some new skills and get them thinking a bit differently.
Got an old laptop I can use, but I was wondering what would be the best way to start them off? What software would be needed, or what courses/websites should I look at?

Thanks!
 
OhYeah84 said:
Hi All,

I am looking at getting my kids set up to learn coding. Basically to learn some new skills and get them thinking a bit differently.
Got an old laptop I can use, but I was wondering what would be the best way to start them off? What software would be needed, or what courses/websites should I look at?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
There is also the pattern and thinking like games e.g.
www.slant.co

Slant - 10 Best programming games on Steam as of 2022

Factorio, Human Resource Machine, and Infinifactory are probably your best bets out of the 10 options considered. "Endless solutions" is the primary reason people pick Factorio over the competition. This page is powered by a knowledgeable community that helps you make an informed decision.
www.slant.co www.slant.co

How old are your kids?
 
Herr der Verboten said:
There is also the pattern and thinking like games e.g.
www.slant.co

Slant - 10 Best programming games on Steam as of 2022

Factorio, Human Resource Machine, and Infinifactory are probably your best bets out of the 10 options considered. "Endless solutions" is the primary reason people pick Factorio over the competition. This page is powered by a knowledgeable community that helps you make an informed decision.
www.slant.co www.slant.co

How old are your kids?
Click to expand...
9 & 11. I'd like them to think differently I guess about problems, and problem solving and hoping this is 1 way to learn.
Plus it's a skill they can pick up on for the future, whether or not they go into coding.
 
OhYeah84 said:
9 & 11. I'd like them to think differently I guess about problems, and problem solving and hoping this is 1 way to learn.
Plus it's a skill they can pick up on for the future, whether or not they go into coding.
Click to expand...
Problem solving and identification thereof is basically comes down to this

Of course that from something else but if you can't set goals, solve and identify problems then you actually can't program. So next step is to bring out those qualities and cultivate them through fun and engaging activities. I think one of the better things to get yourself into is identifying what must be done, working out what needs to be done from there and finally selecting the right tools for the job VS just steam rolling into action googling it.

Any case I suppose I'm preaching to the choir here...
 
Herr der Verboten said:
Problem solving and identification thereof is basically comes down to this

Of course that from something else but if you can't set goals, solve and identify problems then you actually can't program. So next step is to bring out those qualities and cultivate them through fun and engaging activities. I think one of the better things to get yourself into is identifying what must be done, working out what needs to be done from there and finally selecting the right tools for the job VS just steam rolling into action googling it.

Any case I suppose I'm preaching to the choir here...
Click to expand...
Agreed. One thing I've learnt is that you learn nothing by passively watching and copying a tutorial or by not setting goals. Gotta learn by doing.

@OP, this seems like a good place to start: https://www.101computing.net/scratch-challenges/

If they are following a tutorial like this, let them watch 5 minutes (or read the next few steps if it's a written tutorial) at a time and then get them to try replicate what's been made without looking at the tutorial unless they're really stuck.
 
Thanks guys, I will check these all out.
I wondered about Arduinos as well, but think that might just be a little ahead of the game. I'd like to keep things interesting and fun for them for now.

If there's anymore, let me know and I will definitely check them out.
 
Ah yes I started my coding journey at the age of 9 on Delphi, had a school text book from my older sister who was in high school at the time. Took the book and worked through it.

It's a little different today with things like Scratch that is aimed at making coding fun for younger audiences. There is also a lot more access to internet based help and tutorials and things.

Either way, good on you for making an effort to enrich the minds of your kids.
 
Tons of coding games on Steam.
Quite a number of them are hacking sims, although they can gradually teach some solid coding skills.
Also Factorio style games and games like Oxygen not Included can all plausibly help to get anybody to think a bit more like a coder.
 
Can't recall the program or company, will update when they answer the whatsapp, but kids had an external company give programming lessons over & above schoolwork that we paid for.

Both of them Summa cum laude comp degreed graduates today..
 
kolaval said:
Riddle me this!
What do you think I do?

It's ruining my human relationships.
I'm getting more and more inpatient with people because you think through a problem in 3 seconds whilst they blabber on for 3 minutes.
And don't get me started on questions where I expect a yes/no answer
Click to expand...
Man I don't even code for a living but this is so true (I did coding in High school and university btw so the logic is there).
 
eg2505 said:
lego technics robotics set,
seen some great projects involving gadgets and programming.
Click to expand...
LOVE them...the price though. My youngest has asked for one, but that's not in the budget for now. I'd like to scale them up. Maybe they like it and it costs more over time; maybe they don't and the capital outlay isn't that bad.

But really would love a set like that even for myself :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X