If you ask most people, they will say that learning to code is a rather stressful thing to do. Not only that, but it is also usually seen as something very time-consuming, challenging, and not something everyone is suited for. Most of these assumptions are not exactly true, however. Yes, learning to code can be time-consuming, and it is meant to be challenging by definition. However, when taught adequately, coding doesn’t need to be stressful, and it’s certainly something almost everyone can do, at least to a fairly decent degree.
And, yes, all of that applies to children, too. Introducing coding to a child can seem complicated, but there are actually a whole host of learning platforms out there designed to teach kids the basics of coding. They usually do this via coding games and fun interactive challenges that are very much akin to video games and puzzles, only with the added benefit of showcasing the basic principles of coding and introducing children to beginner-friendly programming languages.
So, if you want to start teaching your child coding in an interactive and engaging way or if you want to help supplement their school’s coding education in a fun manner, here are a few key steps for how to go about this in an effective and stress-free way.
1. Pick the right platform for your child’s age
The first step to starting to learn real coding skills has to do with picking the right tool for the job. Nowadays, there are thousands of platforms and apps meant to teach kids coding, but they are all different in various ways. The first thing to consider if you want to make the right choice is your child’s age.
Most online coding courses for beginners are divided into age categories. This is different from difficulty categories, such as Beginner or Advanced, in that coding courses for younger kids are often presented with colorful and fun, child-friendly graphics. They are also designed in the form of playful puzzles and games that can appeal to kids as young as kids in the K-8 age group, but those might feel silly for kids and other beginners beyond that age range.
So, finding an age-appropriate course or platform is the first step. Even within the K-8 age range, there can be major differences between kids in kindergarten and eight graders, so, even a K-8 platform should have various courses suitable for the different age sub-groups in that range.
2. Keep your kid’s likes and preferences in mind
Of course, all kids are different, even when they are at the same age. Different children have different interests and preferences in the types of toys and games they like to play, the styles of art and animation they enjoy, and so on. So, it’s worthwhile to not only find one course that fits your child’s age, but to look for a platform that would indeed appeal to your child’s interests and preferences. The more engaged and interested a child is when it first goes into coding, the more enthusiastic and stress-free it will be throughout the whole process.
3. Quality tools matter a lot
Choosing between the different platforms for introducing a child to coding has one other crucial step parents and tutors shouldn’t ignore and that’s the actual quality of the platform and its courses. Unfortunately, many platforms out there simply don’t offer the right challenge levels progression for smooth learning without stress, or they don’t have a large enough variety of courses, or they are not fun and engaging enough to hold kids’ attention, and so on.
Finding the best possible coding platform can take some time and research, but that time is always worth it. The right coding platform is something your kid will use for not just weeks or months, but potentially for years, so this is a pretty major decision.
4. Approach the process as a guide and a partner, rather than a teacher
Once you’re ready to start, the next tip to consider is that it’s best to approach the whole process more as your child’s guide and even as a coding partner, rather than as a teacher or a tutor. A good coding platform would usually be designed to teach your child almost on its own, simply through the smooth progression of its various games and challenges, much the same way a video game teaches players how to progress through its levels.
So, it’s much better for the parent to be there as a guide through the process, who simply helps clarify things when needed or provides a helpful nudge here or there, rather than a teacher who has to explain everything and test the child’s knowledge.
5. Listen to your kid’s feedback and adjust accordingly
Kids are indeed all different, and even the most comprehensive and well-made coding platform will have aspects that different children react to differently. So, it’s very important to listen to your child’s feedback on the learning course and look for ways to adjust your approach if and when needed.
For example, it a particular course doesn’t appeal to your child, it’s often much better to switch through a different course than to force your child to power through, as the latter is hardly “without stress” or in any way conducing to helping your child stay excited about learning.
