While many of us still remember the time without the Internet and IT, most children today will never experience it.
Although this lack of experience may lead to underestimating the benefits of offline life, being born in a world where IT is grabbing forward in big steps, does have its benefits. Still, with these benefits come the threats parents are often faced with.
On the other hand, governments, universities, tech organisations and companies are promoting and launching coding campaigns. They aim to introduce the world of programming to children and parents.
From video games to notebooks
Moreover, video games, such as Minecraft, which place a child into the role of creator, increased the interest in computer programming as well.
Given that our smartphones and notebooks became our children’s new toys, it is good to know more about them. Apps, websites, and games can be good enough to sparkle creativity and logical thinking.
They allow teaching to code through play. There are in fact many great apps and games that can help children learn to program.
These are some of them:
Tynker
After great success with its website (the website was used in more than 8,000 schools in the US), the firm launched an iPad app Tynker.
Tynker is built to teach programming, using collections of puzzles and drag-and-drop interface. The app has starter lessons, and classroom management tools that are simple for students and children to follow without assistance.
The app is free, and with the initial download you will get 20 puzzles. Although you can choose to pay further packs of puzzles).
By solving the puzzles (of which complexity is gradually increased), children can learn to solve problems in smaller steps. They can learn to recognize patterns and develop algorithmic skills.
Scratch
Scratch, although one of the first programming languages created for children (8-16 years old), is still one of the best websites that teach programming.
Designed in 2003, Scratch is engaging in a simple visual programming language. It is for all who want to start programming by creating games, artwork, interactive stories.
The site offers video tutorials, getting started guides, and Scratch projects one can download. With colourful blocks and just drag-and-drop, it is certainly one of the easiest ways to learn to code.
Hopscotch
Similar to Scratch and Tynker, Hopscotch is a great help for children and students without coding experience to learn the basics.
It uses similar controls to drag blocks into a workspace and has colourful characters that will draw kids in. Moreover, both colours and characters are fun and vibrant, but it is just a starting point.
Cargo-Bot
Cargo-Bot is a challenging and engrossing game that will force kids to think more about the solutions and strategic planning.
Given that the objective is to move coloured crates from one place to another by programming a claw crane to either move right and left and to drop and pick, children will learn valuable programming skills.
Kodable Pro
Kodable Pro is another educational puzzle game with fun and colourful characters. The kids will meet an adorable fuzzy-ball like a family whose spaceship crashes on the planet full of Technomazes. So the kid needs to help them move through a series of mazes.
Moving their Fuzz family through a maze, children learn the basics of programming. They are doing directional programming, while enhancing their problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
My Robot Friend
With My Robot Friend, kids learn more about strategy and develop problem-solving skills as well. There is no reason why kids wouldn’t enjoy this game because kids love robots (who doesn’t?).
With this game, they will learn simple programming and math, while others (adults) can enjoy some complex puzzles. ž
Though it can be a little slow, for children who need help with math, this little robot and his adventures and a series of complex challenges that he faces while trying to put a stop on Fat Cat’s plans, is going to be a fun adventure as well.
Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers
Another game for children (not only for children) who love robots, but the one that will help them learn the basics of JavaScript, is Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers.
The best is that kids do not need previous knowledge of coding, because the game takes you through different stages. If they enjoy strategic games, this one is a great educational tool.
The games, websites, and apps are “old”, though they are still one of the best ways for the kids to learn coding in a fun way.
Moreover, we’ll see some great games and apps in the future for sure (such as Kandu).
Even if the kids do not pursue a career in programming, these games, apps and websites can foster their problem-solving skills, develop creativity, and enhance logical thinking.
