Over the past 20 years, computer technology has progressed to be a necessity in our daily lives. The language of the future is software, and teaching kids how to code will provide them a much needed head start. Mastering such a skill will develop creativity, math, problem solving and analytical skills.
However, not all programming languages are the same. In fact, there are so many available that it can be problematic deciding which one is best for your child. In this article we will cover the best coding languages for children.
SCRATCH
Scratch is ideal for younger children who are new to programming. The Scratch platform provides a visual drag and drop interface that removes the frustration of typing. Scratch’s ease of use allows children to express their creativity through building their own animations, interactive stories and games. Additionally, Scratch has a large online community of 15 million users sharing their ideas, learnings and answering questions.
PYTHON and LUA
Unlike Scratch, Python and Lua are text-based programming languages. Both Python and Lua act as a great starting point for understanding how to structure code. Python is one of the world’s fastest growing and most popular programming languages used by coding professionals. The Python language is extremely powerful and can be used for serious development. Examples of famous websites built using Python include Spotify, Netflix, Dropbox, Pinterest, Instagram and Google! Lua provides a simpler and more readable language for beginners. At Junior Engineers, we teach both languages. Once children learn how to structure their code and data, they’ll be able to develop their own apps in no time!
C++
Pronounced “see plus plus”, this programming language is used to create applications that run on robotics, computers and many other machines. Although learning C++ can be complex for beginners, the language will provide your child with an extremely deep understanding of programming systems and a great head start over many other children their age.
CSS & HTML
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the language for structuring web pages. From creating tables, lists, sharing photos, to recovering online information through forms and spreadsheets, HTML is essential if your children want to learn how to make websites! In addition to HTML, when building a website CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) must also be understood. CSS is the language used for designing web pages, for example adjusting colors, animations, fonts and much more.
JAVASCRIPT
JavaScript has become the most popular option for children learning to code as almost everything runs on it these days! JavaScript can be used to create websites, applications and even control robotics. If your child masters this specific language, they’ll be able to create almost anything they can imagine. However much like C++ JavaScript can be tough to understand, which is why we teach our students CoffeeScript first. Unlike JavaScript, CoffeeScript has a much friendlier composition, which resembles the way we write in English.
RECAP
At Junior Engineers we understand that every student is different. We’ve designed coding courses, which teach all 7 languages listed above, for children of all skill levels and aged 7+. From learning the basics of logical thinking with scratch, to writing their own code within C++ and JavaScript, we are sure Junior Engineers has a program which will challenge and excite your child.
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