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The best time to learn how to Teach Your Kids to Code with Tynker. Coding can help kids learn how to solve problems, and it can also help them be more creative and imaginative. Also, it gives you a good base for learning more computer science concepts in the future.
Obviously, reading a 500-page book with small black-and-white text and programming scripts isn’t the most interesting way for kids to learn to code. There are a lot of resources out there that are made to make coding lessons fun, age-appropriate, and easy to understand.
From 2021 to 2031, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that STEM jobs will grow at a rate that is twice as fast as the average growth rate of 5%. Kids who learn how to code can gain marketable skills for the field in the future. Even if you don’t think about 18 years from now, these are all good reasons why kids should learn to code.
How to Teach Your Kids to Code with Tynker
Start with what they like
When kids are having fun, they learn best. Our goal is to show them how to use Tynker in a way that keeps them interested. What kinds of things do your kids like to do?
- iPad time: Use one of our 10 mobile courses to get them started. These courses can be used without an internet connection, so kids can use the app anywhere, even when they are on vacation. If you have a Tynker subscription, you can access premium content both online and on your iPad using the Tynker app.
- Being creative: Get them started with one of our 14 online courses, where kids can make their own apps and games. As kids move through the courses and learn more, they can work on the other courses to design and build different games.
- To play games, start in the “Play” section of Tynker.com. Have them try any (or all!) of the coding games. If you’re a subscriber, all activities are available. By the time your child finishes all the levels of an activity like Dragon Dash or Code Commander, they will understand basic programming concepts like loops, functions, and conditional logic!
Match their age and skill level
We have beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for each of our fourteen courses and fifty projects. This way, even kids who have never coded before can start with a fun beginner course. Glitch Manor is a great place to start for young kids. Children ages 10 to 12 can start with Turing’s Tower, and kids over 12 should try Goblin Quest.
If your child has already spent some time learning how to code, you can skip ahead to a more advanced or intermediate course. We do have suggestions based on age and experience, but kids can choose any path they want to take!
Use motivators to progress
Every child is motivated by different things, which is why we give them so many ways to stay motivated, like daily missions and the chance to be featured. What drives your children?
Virtual rewards: As your kids move through the lessons, they’ll earn cool badges. Tell them to get as many as they can.
Building a habit: Kids who make learning a habit do well and will enjoy doing their daily tasks. On their Tynker dashboard, your child will find a daily activity that gives double XP every day. This makes it easier for them to level up and unlock new characters and makes them more likely to code every day.
FAQ
How do I start teaching my child to code?
Start with a basic course in a simple code like Scratch, and then move on to more advanced code courses in JavaScript, and Java. Live tutoring sessions and games are a good way to begin your coding journey.
At what age should I teach my kid coding?
Kids as young as 7 years of age can start coding and learning programming basics. In fact, coding for kids has gained popularity rapidly in recent years as technology becomes increasingly part of everyday life. Kids who learn to code when they’re young can set themselves up for a lifetime of opportunities for success.
