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Getting kids to join online coding classes might just be the first step for them to become experts in computer science.
Computer programming is one of the most in-demand skills in the United States and is expected to grow exponentially in the years to come.
Coding is a skill that can be beneficial in any career, and it’s never too early to start teaching your kids about it.
The good thing is that the internet provides a variety of options for parents to enroll their children in coding classes, either online or in person.
Not only will kids learn the actual coding language, but they’ll also discover new things that might get them more interested in computers.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the benefits of coding and how it can help kids succeed in the future.
We’ll also be talking about how you can teach kids about coding through a game that parents and teachers swear by.
The wonderful world of coding for kids
Today, almost everything we do involves the use of computers or mobile devices.
These devices are programmed to understand codes since it is the type of language that tells them how to execute a specific task.
Even the simple exit button needs codes to do what it’s supposed to do.
By teaching kids how to code, you’re giving them the opportunity to learn about technology that also teaches them lifelong skills.
What is coding?
Though often overlooked, coding is an essential component in the digital world.
Coding is simply the process of writing instructions for a computer to follow.
And just like human languages, there are different codes that programmers use to write instructions for computers but the most popular ones are JavaScript, Python, and C++.
These codes can help you build and manage websites, write software programs, and even create apps for smartphones.
Are coding and programming the same?
Many people confuse coding and programming and often believe they are the same.
Coding involves the creation of software by writing text in a programming language that computers can read and execute.
Programming can then take these lines of code and turn them into meaningful computer instructions.
In simple words, coding is a part of programming.
At what age can a child start coding?
A 4-year-old child can start coding, however, you cannot expect them to build apps on their own.
Kids this age can start learning the basic concepts of coding by knowing how computer commands work.
One way kids can get introduced to coding is through online classes or video games.
What can kids learn from online coding classes?
Kids are natural problem solvers, and coding is a fun way to harness their curiosity.
Through online coding classes, kids can learn different skills that can also improve their performance in school.
With that said, here are the benefits of teaching kids coding:
Increases patience
Since trial and error is part of the coding process, this increases their patience in obtaining the results that they want to achieve.
Develop creativity skills
Coding can encourage your child to be more creative especially when trying out different things to discover something new.
Develop programming skills
Coding can be a valuable asset to a child’s future, as it will help develop their understanding of computers and allow them to expand their knowledge in this field.
Strengthen problem-solving skills
Coding also helps kids learn how to break down problems into manageable chunks and work through them systematically.
Improve skills in mathematics
Even though coding doesn’t directly teach your kids how to solve mathematical problems, it can train their brains to analyze problems efficiently.
What is the best and fun way for my child to learn coding?
It’s never too early to get kids excited about coding!
One way to do this is by getting them started with codeSpark Academy, an interactive game that’s designed and developed to teach children how to code.
What is codeSpark Academy all about?
codeSpark Academy is a game developed by Grant Hosford and Joe Sochet in 2014, and it teaches children coding by solving puzzles and challenges.
This fun and interactive game takes coding to a whole new level as it also allows them to create their own games for fun.
It is suitable for children 5 years and above, and they can easily access it through a mobile app or an internet browser if they’re using a computer.
The game is mostly focused on teaching your little one about sequencing, loops, conditional statements, events, Boolean logic and sorting, and so much more.
Is codeSpark Academy free?
codeSpark Academy has a 7-day free trial that gets your kids to experience the game.
If they find it interesting and you think it’s a great game to improve their coding skills, you can get them a subscription plan that includes:
- Unlimited coding challenges
- New skills weekly
- 100s of educational puzzles
- Unlimited access to creativity suite
- Access for up to 3 children
As of this writing, the annual plan for codeSpark costs $79.99 ($.6.67 monthly), and $9.99 for the monthly plan.
Note: These subscription plans auto-renew
However, before making a purchase, parents need to know that the game itself requires:
- iOS 11 or higher with 2 GB of RAM or more
- Android 4.4 KitKat or higher with 1 GB of RAM or more
- Amazon FireOS with 1 GB of RAM or more
- Chrome or Firefox on a desktop, laptop, or Chromebook with at least 4 GB of RAM.
Is it safe for children?
codeSpark Academy is a COPPA-compliant game which means that it doesn’t collect any private information about your child.
The game itself also features child-friendly animated cartoons known as “the Foos”, which will be guiding them throughout their coding journey.
In addition, codeSpark Academy is also suitable for children who are still learning how to read, making it a very accessible coding game for every kid.
Should you get codeSpark Academy for your kid?
Teaching kids to code can be very challenging especially if you’re not familiar with how it works.
codeSpark Academy is a highly-recommended child-friendly app to parents who want to have their kids learn to code.
As a matter of fact, it’s one of the best coding games out there that you can get for your kid!
With codeSpark, they are given the chance to build their own game on the platform, which unleashes their talent for game development.
Plus, since the developers are always adding new games on the platform, they’ll definitely have loads of fun with it.
Interested to get CodeSpark Academy?
Common questions about kids coding
Now that you already have an idea of what coding is about and why it is essential, let’s discuss the most common questions about this concept.
What can kids do with coding?
Kids can do so much with coding!
From developing their first game to designing animated characters, coding allows them to get their imagination to flow freely – thus giving them a sense of accomplishment that they may not get from other subjects in school.
If your child decides to pursue coding in the future, then having a coding skill can help them become a:
- Web developer
- Data Scientist
- Network Administrator
- Software Application Developer
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Systems Engineer
What coding language is appropriate for kids?
With more than half of all STEM jobs in coming years requiring computer coding skills, it is only natural to teach coding to kids at a young age.
There can be so many programming languages out there but not all of them are suitable for kids.
Recently, many schools are starting to teach JavaScript to students at a young age because it is easy to learn and can be applied to any coding environment.
Other languages such as Scratch, Python, Ruby, and Lua, are also appropriate for kids.
What is text-based coding?
Text-based coding is a programming language that can be used to create programs, websites, and mobile apps.
It is made up of letters, numbers, and symbols that represent instructions for computers to use in order to operate.
Kids can also give text-based coding a try, however, the teaching process may require patience since it can be confusing for them at first.
Does Roblox have coding classes for kids?
Yes
Some people think playing Roblox is a fun and innocent pastime which helps kids develop their social skills.
However, what most people don’t know is that it also offers courses that teach kids coding through Roblox Studio.
Roblox Studio uses Lua, a programming language, that’s very easy to use and allows kids to create their own worlds and code minigames.
Is HTML easy for kids?
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is a programming language that is used to create web pages with content, links, and images.
This language can be taught to elementary and middle school-aged children since it is easier to help them understand what the different elements are for.
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