First of all, getting our children interested in coding and STEM tracks in general is beneficial in so many ways. It will help prepare them for a highly automated and technology-advanced future. Learning to code, in specific, can help improve the children’s soft skills such as problem-solving, creativity, logical thinking and collaboration.
Here are several ideas to get your child interested in coding:
Make it Playful and Fun
Kids are kids and they love playful exploration and games in general. Use games and interactive platforms designed for kids to introduce them to coding. Tools like Scratch, Code, and Tynker offer game-like environments that teach coding concepts through visual programming. Most of these games are offered into different age categories so that kids can start at the appropriate level.
Incorporate Their Interests
It will be very useful to tie coding projects to the kid’s hobbies. If they love video games, then let them create their own simple games. If they’re into storytelling, they can design their own interactive stories or animations. You’ll be surprised by the sheer number of free projects offered by a platform like Code.org.
Use Coding Toys and Kits
There are many physical toys that teach coding principles. For kids under 7, use Turtle board game, which introduces coding concepts in a very intuitive manner. For kids 6 and above, try game kits like LEGO Mindstorms, Osmo, and Makeblock . They are great for hands-on learning and experimentation.
Keep them Challenged
Ensure you introduce your kid to the right complexity level of coding. Once they master that level, bring it up to the next. For instance, the popular book Coding Games in Scratch offers kids the ability to build games and use the step-by-step guide to complete the game projects. Once they are done, you can ask them to improvise and experiment by adding more elements to the game.
To make it even more interesting, you can use Makeblock platform to get tutoring or to build robots based on age and skill level.
Involve the Family
Engage in coding activities together. Coding can be a family project where everyone contributes to creating a game or solving a problem. This also helps create an environment where the kid is learning and exploring coding and robotics in an organic way and they wouldn’t feel burdened with new learning.
Find like-minded Peers
And the best way to achieve that is by joining local coding clubs or camps. Many local schools and communities offer coding clubs, workshops, and summer camps. These can provide a structured and social environment for kids to learn and collaborate, and more importantly make friends who share the same passion. First Lego League is a great starting point. It’s a non-profit that offers opportunities for kids to join robotics teams, learn to code, and compete locally, regionally and at the world stage.
Conclusion
By making coding a fun, creative, and relevant activity, you can help spark an interest that might grow into a lifelong passion.
