5 "Frist steps" for beginning coder kids

Coding is a popular subject in the 4.0 era, not only for adults but also kids are learning to code. Coding for kids has become increasingly popular and children can now learn to code at home, event without attending school. Self-studying can help children save time and discover their skills before deciding to become a programmer. However, in a world with huge amounts of coding knowledge, where should children begin? Algorithmics will guide parents through the 5 first steps that their children should take before learning to code. 

Experience different learning coding software and platforms

It is important for both parents and children to understand their interests, strengths, personalities, and dreams in order to maintain a successful career in the long term. By discovering these aspects, children can become passionate and excited about their chosen field. One way to help with this discovery process is through hands-on experience. The more children explore and experiment, the better they will understand themselves. Parents can also gain insight into their children's personalities by observing their activities, such as playing games, making projects on platforms, or self-studying on YouTube.

There are several popular coding platforms for children to try, including Scratch, Roblox, Code Monster, Stencyl, and Code Avengers. These platforms not only provide an engaging and visually stimulating environment but also serve as valuable educational tools for children to learn coding skills.

Have a clear and well-defined direction

After finding their children's hobbies and interests, the next step for parents is to learn about the code world. When thinking about coding, one usually thinks about writing and reading code. However, there are many different positions in the coding world, such as front-end, back-end, full-stack, software engineer, and more. Each career has different requirements, and having too many options can make children and kids feel vague about defining their careers. They may easily feel bored, confused, and give up halfway. Therefore, after understanding and their children's personalities, parents should plan a learning pathway for their children. Algorithmics can help test their children's skills.

Choosing a suitable coding language

Another challenge for parents is choosing a suitable coding language from the hundreds of options available. Currently, there are more than 700 coding languages in the world, and popular languages include Python, JavaScript, C#, C++, and PHP. Algorithmics recommends Python because it is highly applicable, easy to learn, and has a large user community. Furthermore, Python is a language that helps children easily learn other languages.

Improve essential soft skills 

After having a direct learning pathway, it's time for children to practice essential soft skills. These skills are key to their success in the future. Although coding is often thought of as simply working on a laptop, it is actually a colorful world. Through learning, children not only learn about and work with computers, but also improve essential soft skills, such as:

• Communication skill
• Problem-solving skill
• Creative, curiosity, self-learning 
• Time management skill
• Language

Participate in online coding courses

Self-study is not always an easy way to learn, especially for children who lack basic coding knowledge. It can take several years to establish a strong foundation through self-study alone. However, there are ways to reduce this time, such as enrolling in online coding courses. Algorithmics, an international coding school for children aged 5-17, offers both online and offline courses that are suitable for children with busy schedules or who want to explore their interests. Attending Algorithmics' introductory courses will help children approach coding more easily and build a solid foundation of knowledge.

Do not hesitate to contact Algo HERE to learn more about the technology skills course or to test your technological proficiency.