7 Ways Your Kids Can Learn to Code

Kids are insatiably curious and eager to learn, but finding the right curriculum is important to their success. Help your child learn about the wide world of coding by finding programs that support their learning styles and school routines.

How Your Kids Can Learn to Code

Coding programs are increasingly popular for school-aged kids. Some school districts have begun to integrate STEM programs and coding into regular coursework or provide enrichment opportunities after school. Other students thrive through online courses or with the help of coding camps.

Kids with a variety of interests will have fun learning how to code. And if you start while they’re young, you’ll be amazed by how much they’ll learn.

1. Online Coding Courses

Free online courses can serve as coding resources to help kids learn the basics of coding syntax. All students have to start with the fundamental coding skills to be successful, and if they can learn online independently, this is a great way to start.

Pros

Free
Easy to access

Cons

Students may click ahead without completing an activity
Online learning requires self-discipline
Lacks one-on-one guidance that you get from courses and camps

2. In-home or Online Tutors

Coding tutors can personalize coursework to the child’s interests and experience. Tutors can help reinforce year-round learning to support what coding languages they’ve begun learning at school or during coding camps.

Pros

Flexibility to learn virtually or in-person
Small class sizes or private coaching
Coursework is customized to the child’s level and interests

Cons

Some kids learn better in a group setting to share ideas and inspiration
Dependent on the quality and availability of the tutor

3. School Curriculum

STEM education and coding curriculum can start in elementary school. Programs will introduce coding at an age-appropriate level to foster interest and curiosity. In middle school and high school, coursework for computer science may help students gain a deeper knowledge of programming languages and applications.

Pros

Opportunity to learn with peers
Easy to incorporate into the normal school day

Cons

School budgets may limit program development and staffing for coding (and any STEM curriculum for that matter)
Curriculum is generalized for the class and less likely to challenge those with existing coding experience

4. After-school Programs

Wrap-around programs and after-school camps are an option for families who need childcare, but want to provide an enriching experience. Coding projects can appeal to first-time coders as easily as students who have had experience with writing code.

Pros

Convenient
Families can use it to replace after-school childcare

Cons

Static curriculum designed for general interests may lack depth and challenge
Staffing limitations may lead to a high teacher-to-student ratio

5. Coding Camps

Coding camps appeal to many families looking for summer camp alternatives. Programs are tailored to different interests and experience levels, so children and teens can explore the types of coding that pique their curiosity.

Pros

Summer vacation or seasonal school breaks are convenient times for kids to learn new skills
All-day programs can replace childcare or other camps

Cons

Kids might not be interested in learning over the summer.
Learning how to code still takes year-round dedication. While camp might jumpstart their interests, you’ll need to supplement with other opportunities throughout the year.

6. Coding Clubs

Clubs at school or in the community bring kids with similar interests together. Children can join to meet other kids and learn the basics of coding.

Pros

Free
Opportunity to meet students with shared interests, like Minecraft or other coding games
Opportunity to groupthink and troubleshoot basic coding challenges with peers
Convenient if the club is at school or a local community center

Cons

Not all clubs have a dedicated teacher or a curriculum
May be limited in size; you might have to wait until a space opens up.

7. Coding (and STEM/STEAM) Schools

Many coding and STEM schools teach kids a wide range of computer science and engineering theories to generate interest in all areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Schools adopt one of the following learning styles:

Curriculum based

Schools with a traditional curriculum teach coding concepts at a preset pace. Curriculum and tutorials focus on developing fundamental skills and helping students learn in a structured format.

Software based

Some schools use online apps to guide kids through the coding process, supporting with additional in-person instruction if a child needs extra help or outpaces their peers.

Staff based

Schools with programmers on staff can develop flexible lesson plans customized to every student. Coders can work with students to challenge them at the right level and help them succeed.

Best coding languages for beginners

Developed at MIT, Scratch, and ScratchJr are great places for a beginner to start learning computer programming. From there, kids can easily begin to grasp Tynker, Scratch, Java, and Lua.

Teens who are more experienced with algorithms and debugging may want to pursue coding platforms like:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript
Python
C++
C#

How old do kids need to be to learn how to code?

Kids as young as six can begin to learn about coding! Children who explore technology and learn how to code get firsthand knowledge and experience with using computers. They also develop excellent problem-solving skills. Learning to write blocks of code is becoming a mainstream part of essential computer literacy for kids that benefits them in the real world.

Learn to code at theCoderSchool

Give your kid a jumpstart in coding by enrolling them in coding camps. Our child-focused learning philosophy helps young coders develop critical thinking skills so they can advance in the world of computer science at their own pace. Coding classes offered by theCoderSchool strive to inspire students of all ages.

Our kids’ coding classes are available across the U.S. When you’re ready to enroll your child, get in touch with us to find a class near you. If you have any questions about programs to target specific interests, we are happy to help point you in the right direction.