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Author Topic: Scripting Programming Coding for kids  (Read 3189 times)

Daleus

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Scripting Programming Coding for kids
« on: October 03, 2016, 10:49 AM »
Some friends of mine homeschool their littles. They both use smartphones and computers but they admit they are definitely users of technology. Mom recently became concerned with the hype about how kids should learn to code because that's the world in which they'll be living.

So I've been asked to teach coding. I am not a coder so I have not yet committed. I have always wanted to code so I view this as less of an impediment and more an opportunity to learn something myself.

Scholastic publishes this material some of which is on hand, at which I haven't had a look. I want to first build an idea of what's out there to give me a hand with teaching coding to kids and so I turn to the most clever community I know.

Age group is 7 1/2, students 2.

Some questions:

1. What computing fundamentals should they be taught as preparation?
2. What coding for kids resources are out there, specifically targeted at kids?
3. What languages (or specialised subsets) would be appropriate, which can be built upon in the next few years?
4. What non-coding activities should be considered, that would help develop skills.
5. What would be the best way to set goals and judge progress?

You don't have to be a home schooler, a teacher, a coder etc. to make suggestions - all are welcome to contribute.

Cheers!
Daleus, Curmudgeon-at-Large

wraith808

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Re: Scripting Programming Coding for kids
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2016, 12:12 PM »
This is the textbook that I used for my kids - https://www.manning....world-second-edition

It was Python, which is useful in the long term.

They liked Hackety Hack too, which uses Ruby, so has the advantage of being useful.

There are several others, but the languages are not ones that are useful in the real world.

Here are a couple of sites with several resources:
https://www.fractusl...rogramming-for-kids/
http://www.edutopia....s-parents-matt-davis

But I really found that my kids weren't interested in it (my daughter likes writing better, and my son is more hands-on, so not a good fit for either), though they did enjoy a camp at a local computer 4 kids type workshop.  So that's what I recommend - finding something local if it's available that they can interact with.  There are more out there than you might think.

HTH!

kilele

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Re: Scripting Programming Coding for kids
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2016, 07:07 AM »
I have installed the app "Lightbot Hour" but haven't tried it yet with my 7 years old nephew.
I guess something like this is supposed to develop programming skills.