Programming today is one of the most promising professions that bring significant income. Taking into account the development of the Internet and information technologies in general, we can confidently say that this area will be promising in the future.
Teaching programming to children today is not just a fad. First of all, this is an opportunity to give your child a new level of development. Children who study development develop a range of skills that will be useful in any field, especially in the exact sciences.
Moreover, you can start from a very young age. Already at the age of 5-6, children are fluent in various gadgets. The child is ready to play games or watch various videos for hours. Parents can only adjust the interests of their kids so that they spend their time usefully on mobile devices and computers. In this article, we'll talk about the main ways to make it easier for you to get kids excited about programming.
When parents are programmers
Perhaps this is one of the simplest and most affordable options. If a parent is a programmer, they can open up a completely different world to their child on the other side of the screen. To do this, just call the baby and create a simple application or game with him.
The child will probably want to do something like this, because children want to be like their parents. When you create a little game in front of their eyes, they'll look like a magician who just did a miracle. Can you imagine a child's surprise when he finds out that he can do the same thing himself?
Of course, children aged 5-6 don't need to be taught how to code in different languages. On the contrary, this can discourage people from studying, because it is very difficult. Today, there are special development environments for kids like Scratch or Snap! , in which the child will be able to compose a program from blocks. This is much easier and more effective at the same time.
Learning to program through games
Not every family has parents who are programmers. But that doesn't mean they can't get their kids excited about designing. A modern child cannot imagine his life without various devices. And they can help draw children's attention to a new and exciting environment.
Currently, there are many exciting games that can help children start learning how to develop. Moreover, such applications are available both on desktops and laptops, and on mobile devices.
LightBot is a good example. This freeware app is a game in which your child will program various robot actions (moving back and forth, turning, jumping). As a result, children create their first algorithms that introduce them to the development world.
We've already mentioned Scratch and Snap above! These are special development environments that can be used to create Minecraft-based games, for example. Of course, it is difficult to study independently with a child. Therefore, it is recommended to send him to courses where professional teachers will introduce the child to the basics of development.
Robotics classes
All kids love to play constructors. They are ready to build something enthusiastically for hours and then enjoy their achievements. For example, Lego also offers many interesting sets, including those with electric motors. And there are also special professional kits that allow you to study robotics.
Creating their own automated crafts will captivate any child. Robotics lessons use the same Scratch development environment, which teaches children how to program the behavior of a Lego character. But this is the basis for development. In the future, it will be much easier to get a child interested in programming.
In this article, we looked at how and why to teach a child programming. You have learned about the existence of several methods and learned which one is the most optimal and effective.
Attending specialized events
Today, various interesting events for children are held everywhere, which teach children what robotics and programming are, teach logic and increase concentration. It is not difficult to find such exhibitions and forums. They are held in all regions of the country. Even if a child is currently cold to intellectual games and development, and wants to just play with toys or spend time with peers, his opinion can change dramatically at such events.
If you haven't yet managed to get your children interested in programming on your own, professional mentors can help you do it in a playful way.
Specialised courses
The simplest and most effective method is to enroll your child in specialized programming courses. And it doesn't matter how old he is — 5 or maybe 10. Such courses offer an individual approach to assessing the child's abilities and capabilities, as well as his knowledge.
The main objective of such courses is to attract children's attention, teach them the basics of programming and lay the foundation for their future profession. Moreover, the training program usually provides the opportunity to continue training with a professional approach to development.
Some myths about programming for kids
Programming is a very promising area and develops many skills and abilities in children. But despite this, there are a number of myths that raise concerns among parents. Let's look at the most common misconceptions.
My child is too young to code
It depends on what age you plan to start at. It can really be very early at 3-4 years of age. And at the age of 5-6, children are already quite ready to take the basic course. As part of the training program for the youngest children, children will be taught new technologies. Moreover, teachers are well aware of what children are interested in and know how to attract their attention.
The kid won't like it
Today's children are able to absorb much more information than we can imagine. Moreover, if you send your children to specialized courses, believe me, no one will teach kids boring code. All classes are designed in such a way as to be as interesting and effective as possible.
Programmers are nerds sitting in front of a computer with glasses
This is a fairly common stereotype that no longer works today. Many programmers lead an active lifestyle and play sports. They travel frequently and can work for themselves from the comfort of their homes.
Moreover, it is not necessary for your child to be a programmer. There are many other interesting and useful areas of activity. But programming classes allow you to develop skills such as creative thinking, logic, and concentration. All this will allow you to succeed in your studies and learn more effectively at school and then at higher education.
As for vision, there really is one caveat: frequent and, most importantly, long-term communication with gadgets can have a negative impact on a child's health. But he's already spending time on his devices. It is better to direct his energy in the right direction and get the child interested in programming. At the same time, do not forget to make sure that he does not spend too much time on his computer or mobile device.
