Essentially, writing code is problem solving. The syntax for every programming language is different, but the concepts are universal. By building on this premise, many startups have developed coding apps aimed at kids, which lay the foundation for a career in programming at a tender age.
Judging from the download statistics, this seems to be a solid idea, because who wouldn’t want their children to learn programming in today’s digitally driven world.
Here are some coding apps for kids:
Tynker
Pricing: From $20/month
Award winning app preferred by schools (over 30 000 schools & 26 million learners) & institutions that teach code professionally. Pattern recognition, problem solving, while introducing concepts like sequencing, repetition, & conditional logic. Reinforces basic geometry concepts while using programming to draw angles & lines. The app supports a host of ‘connected’ toys, from drones to robots, which assist children in planning & executing ‘real’ coding challenges. The foundation of the app is to teach coding in a fun way, to engage kids, such as drop-and-drag game building using colored blocks.
Code Spark Academy
Innovative “no words” interface to teach kids, even pre-schoolers, the fundamentals of programming logic. Kids learn by completing interactive activities, based on a video game format. As children advance, they are encouraged to build their own games & share them with the community.
Kodable
Priced from $4.99/month
Kids are introduced to the basic tenets of programming using fun gamification (STEM system, emphasis on the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math). The curriculum is aimed at building basic understanding one level at a time, until the child grasps the fundamentals of JavaScript. JavaScript is regarded as an entry level programming language, so it’s a good grounding for children. The app develops to allow kids the opportunity to build & share their own games as they improve.
ScratchJr
Free
With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories & games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, & express their digital creativity.
Kids are taught to code by snapping ‘‘programming’ blocks together to make characters sing, dance, move & jump.
BitsBox
$16.99/month
A great resource, which gives kids a good start to programming concepts, such as variables, conditionals, switch statements, loops & functions, among others. The curriculum is varied & is based on ‘boxes’ of coding blocks that are sent out to children to encourage them to learn. Once kids are familiar with the boxed content, they complete assignments online using a ‘virtual Tablet’, in a fun & interactive manner.
