{"id":143,"date":"2017-07-19T05:38:33","date_gmt":"2017-07-19T05:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/coding-for-kids-aged-6-and-under\/"},"modified":"2022-10-13T20:50:21","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T20:50:21","slug":"coding-for-kids-aged-6-and-under","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/coding-for-kids-aged-6-and-under\/","title":{"rendered":"Coding for Six-Year-Olds and Younger"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coding for Six-Year-Olds and Younger<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coding might not be the most enjoyable activity that would come to mind for a six-year-old. But with many schools teaching STEM curricula, learning resources and coding toys make it exciting and engaging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At home, families can also help foster a love of technology and support critical thinking in the same way they help their kids learn reading, basic math, and how to ride a bike.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Coding Good for Young Kids?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simply put: Yes! Children who explore technology and learn how to code get firsthand knowledge and coordination in using computers, but they\u2019ll also have a creative outlet and develop excellent problem-solving skills that can serve them well in other areas of their lives. As a result, learning to code is becoming a mainstream part of essential computer literacy for kids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not sure whether or not your six-year-old will enjoy coding lessons, remember that it appeals to various interests. Your child might love coding concepts if they:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy playing on tablets or video gaming systems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy challenging educational games, like puzzles or problem-solving activities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use drag-and-drop coding toys, like Code-a-pillar<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy free play with building toys such as LEGO<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, even if your child doesn\u2019t express a strong interest in any of these things, they might latch on to computer coding as a new hobby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important part to remember as a parent is to introduce kids coding challenges that are age-appropriate so beginners can get the foundational knowledge they need to be successful. As a child learns more about the basics of coding, they\u2019ll find other, more advanced creative avenues to explore.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Coding Methods for Younger Children<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before pursuing the world of programming languages, help your child learn simple, fundamental skills through accessible apps, activities, and games. Some of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/top-five-platforms-for-elementary-age-kids-learning-to-code\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best coding platforms for elementary kids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drag n\u2019 drop<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drag n\u2019 drop coding activities make it easy to introduce young learners to coding. Simple coding games are the easiest way for children to understand how code blocks work and gradually prepare them for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/playcanvas\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">learning JavaScript<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Python, and other challenging languages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These programs are easy for early readers but don\u2019t require users to know how to type, reducing frustrations from syntax requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engaging logic sites<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many great logic sites for young coders challenge kids to think about problem-solving. A couple of our favorites for learning code include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kodable.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kodable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/code.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Code.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kodable focuses on the concepts needed for computer programming and includes beginner lessons to help kids learn about loops, if\/then statements, conditionals, and other programming basics in a step-by-step format.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Code.org is a global effort to help kids try coding. It has one of the best collections of fun logic games and challenges for kids to be entertained while also learning to code.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offline activities<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you thought a computer was a prerequisite to learning to code, think again. Many fun, tech-tree coding games help kids foster programming skills and strategies. Some offline games include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Code Master: a great board game that incorporates simple coding challenges<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rush Hour: a logic skills-based game that requires you to get a car out of a traffic jam<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chocolate Fix: designed by an expert in programming languages and formal logic, this game includes 400 prompts that challenge kids to solve a puzzle by organizing desserts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Coding Languages for Younger Kids<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are hundreds of coding languages used worldwide, but families of younger kids should introduce <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/top-7-coding-platforms-to-teach-high-schoolers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coding platforms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with drag-and-drop visual block programming options like Tynker and Scratch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both of these coding languages teach fundamental concepts and help kids visually understand how they can control cause-and-effect with simple changes. Block programming makes it easier to understand the significance of programming loops and sequences and debugging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complex syntax and learning how to write lines of code comes later with CSS, HTML, Python, and JavaScript. By learning the fundamental skills at a young age, they will be able to transition into these intermediate and advanced languages.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Programs Help Kids Learn Coding?<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ScratchJr<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Scratch is great for students looking for advanced coding challenges, ScratchJr is more introductory. It includes apps for creating scripts, making it easier for kids to learn about how actions control computer programming.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tynker<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beginner programmers can learn how to code following Tynker\u2019s self-paced, intuitive, interest-based activities. The courses are a great introduction to visual blocks, and it\u2019s robust enough to help transition kids into intermediate programming challenges and even languages such as JavaScript and Python.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minecraft<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many kids and families of beginners look to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/how-minecraft-teaches-coding\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minecraft for coding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> activities. Students can work independently or in groups to design and build their own characters and worlds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Osmo<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Osmo is a program that transforms your tablet into a hands-on coding toy, introducing programming to young kids in a way that builds coding skills in progression with three hands-on tutorials.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coding for Five-Year-Olds<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By now, you recognize that coding isn\u2019t just for older kids. There is no pivotal elementary milestone\u2014even preschool and kindergarten students can start coding and learn through enriching experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget stated in 1971 that children at the age of five are in what he called the preoperational stage. At this stage of child development, a child can understand mental representations via words and images. Following this theory, many experts agree that a child can start learning to code at five years old. They adapt programming languages to make it visual, fun, and rewarding, rather than syntax-rich or too challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plenty of apps and websites used by educators lean on block-based coding to introduce a child to computer science and logic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tactics to help five-year-olds learn coding<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Five-year-olds will welcome the opportunity to learn about coding if it\u2019s mindfully incorporated into their interests. Remember that at this age, it\u2019s less about expecting a child to complete a full coding project, and more about rewarding their attempts and efforts. With limited reading skills, it\u2019s important to lean towards visual options so kids can learn more independently about simple concepts like code blocks and cause-and-effect actions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduce it during free play with unplugged toys that provide STEM experiences<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help them build their own robot with a simple robotics coding kit<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhance their collection of LEGO with the LEGO Boost Robotics Creative Toolbox<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduce an artistic child to animation tools that can help bring their artistic creations to life<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Update their iPad with apps for learning how to code, or choose video games that educate basic coding skills as part of the game<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Your Six-Year-Old Ready to Code?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give your kid a jumpstart down a STEM career path by enrolling them in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/camps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coding camps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for beginners. Our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/codertree\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">child-focused learning philosophy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps young coders foster logical thinking skills so they can advance in the world of computer science at their own pace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">theCoderSchool provides coding classes and camps that make it easy for curious, creative kids to explore computers and technology. With locations across the United States and flexible courses, including virtual learning, in-person classes, or private one-on-one lessons, we strive to provide new challenges and real-world opportunities for the next-gen to take their curiosities with technology to the next level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/locations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a class near you<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and get in touch with the educators at theCoderSchool today if you have any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read this before teaching your 6 and under child how to code. It&#8217;ll give you a good perspective and some great ideas on how to do it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coder-blog","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12231,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143\/revisions\/12231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}