This blog will discuss how you can help your 6 year old child start learning or wanting to learn how to code and program. Technology is changing quickly, which makes it interesting for kids to learn about. If your 6-year-old shows an interest in computers and how they work, especially coding, you can start teaching them with these simple tips and tricks.
All About Teaching 6 Years Old How to Code
Technology exploration and coding for children provide them with hands-on experience with computers and a creative outlet, and good problem-solving abilities that can be used in other aspects of their lives. As a result, coding has become an integral aspect of computer literacy for young people – even at 6 years old.
If your 6 year old loves to play on a computer, tablet, or video game console, take pleasure in mentally challenging educational exercises, such as word puzzles and ordinary puzzles or found playing building toys such as LEGO exciting, they may probably want to start on learning how to code too! Coding may sound challenging, but it does not mean we will start on a tricky part.
Using the right resources, your 6 year old will enjoy learning to code. To get your child ready for computer programming, assist them in acquiring simple, essential skills through applications, games, activities, toys, and more!
Best Tips to Teach Your 6 Year Old How to Code
Learning to code does not have to be complicated. Parents must remember to provide their children with age-appropriate coding assignments to gain the core knowledge necessary to be successful. The more a child learns about the fundamentals of coding, the more creative options they will discover.
It is essential to introduce your 6-year-old to the essentials gradually and concisely. Computer programming can be made simpler for kids by explaining what the basics are or helping them learn through activities. After all, for kids, one of the best methods to acquire knowledge is to learn through play.
Get to know some of the tips on how you can teach your 6 year old how to code with my list below.
How to Teach Kids 6 Year Old How to Code
Start with the Basics
Some children may already be familiar with the basics of coding by the time they reach age 6. However, it is possible that others are not aware of what it comprises or believe it is beyond their comprehension.
An excellent place to start is by explaining it to the kids. The first step in training children to think like computer programmers is to first lay the foundation of coding.
You can help your 6-year-old learn the basics and ideas of coding by explaining what it is and what it is used for. Communication with computers is accomplished through the practice of coding and s the language that tells smartphones how to run apps and consoles how to execute games. Almost all of what your children interact with via their computers, websites, and social media is powered by coding.
Start a Project
Having a project plan is very helpful for programmer kids who are unsure of how to proceed. As any programmer will tell you, hands-on experience is the only way to truly master programming concepts and knowledge that you have learned from reading.
An excellent method to learn these modern skills is completing coding assignments or projects. Participants in an actual programming project can learn how to think like a programmer and what tools are needed to complete a real-world application.
Use Age-Appropriate Programming Tool
Nowadays, there are various programming tools where one can learn coding. For a 6 year old child, one of the most popular and most used programming tools is Scratch.
Scratch is one of the simplest programming languages to master, thanks to its drag-and-drop interface with colored blocks.
Over the age of eight is generally considered an appropriate time to introduce a child to Scratch. However, Scratch offers a more user-friendly interface for children aged 5 to 7 years old called Scratch Jr. ScratchJr's UI is substantially less complicated than Scratch's to make it easier for children to get started.
Books for Coding
Most 6 years old can read and retell familiar stories, and it is a good thing if they want to start to learn to code. While there are many benefits of reading such as increasing a child's ability to focus, one of the best ways they can learn how to code is by reading books that are age-appropriate for them.
If your 6 year old finds that reading words is still difficult for them, there are ranges of books for them to choose from to help them start. Some books available are picture or illustrated books and activity books that introduces young children to the basic of coding.
Below are a few coding books that are age-appropriate for your 6 years old:
DK Workbooks: Computer Coding: An Introduction to Code
DK Workbooks: Computer Coding is a highly visual workbook that teaches computer programming fundamentals with Python, a free and open-source coding language. With straightforward, step-by-step directions and colorful pixel art, DK Workbooks: Computer Coding is an excellent introduction to computer coding for students who are just starting. There are written tests at the end of each chapter in this book and an eye-catching dictionary of essential vocabulary.
If your child is more than ready to explore more of the basics of coding, this book will be ideal as they will be able to create Python-based programs, animations, and games once they have finished the book.
Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding
Hello Ruby is a delightful combination of a picture book and an activity book written by Linda Liukas. This book aims not to instruct your 6 years old in a specific programming language but rather on general principles of computer programming.
By reading Hello Ruby, your 6-year-old may develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills.
Lift-the-Flap Computers and Coding
Just like Hello Ruby, Lift-The-Flap Computers and Coding Book is a picture book. However, if Hello Ruby has an activity inside, this book has none and is focused on chapters.
By opening the flaps on the illustrations in this chapter book, students are encouraged to learn more about how computers function "under the hood." This coding book written by Rosie Dickens will help your 6-year-old discover how algorithms work and basic mathematical concepts through a series of fun-filled quests and riddles.
STEM and Coding Toys
Do you want your 6 year old to learn knowledge in coding with less screen time or no screen time at all? Thanks to the various STEM and coding toys available for kids nowadays, it is now possible.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) toys focus on these four disciplines: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Coding toys can also be recognized as stem toys, and these toys have a significant impact on the educational well-being of parents and guardians who have long pondered what benefits their children gain from playing with toys.
While these STEM toys are highly educational for your children, they can also help them improve diverse thinking, creativity, and hand-eye coordination. Enhancing spatial awareness can also be gained by playing with STEM or coding toys.
Summary About Teaching 6 Year Old to Learn How to Code
When a child is six years old, they are either in kindergarten or beginning first grade. Even at this young age, children are expected to learn how to code because it is an integral part of being able to use computers well.
It is an excellent idea to help your youngster learn basic computer programming abilities by using apps, games, and other educational materials. I hope that by the time you finish reading this blog, you will have a better understanding of how you can begin teaching your 6-year-old to code.
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