PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES FOR BEGINNERS

Programming is the language of our times. Just like learning any foreign language adds much to our knowledge and personality, learning how to code keeps us ahead. As technology becomes ever more present in our daily lives, learning a programming language not only represents just a smart, forward-thinking exercise idea but also a necessity for grown-ups and kids alike. It is a great skill for any child to learn and develop. Programming for kids is becoming an increasingly popular topic.

Studies have shown that coding strengthens other academic areas such as reading, spelling, and math. Even kindergartners can be taught the basics of writing code. Acquiring these skills at such a young age will greatly influence their overall development. It is observed that kids who master coding and programming logic become better problem solvers and also develop better analytical reasoning skills, meanwhile their thirst for knowledge increases.

There are so many programming languages available. It can be a little tricky to decide which one is the best for beginners. 

The following are a few recommended programming languages for kids.

  1. Scratch

Primarily developed for children between the ages of 8 and 16, Scratch is a free educational programming language developed by Mitch Resnick. It is one of the most visually appealing of all the kids’ programming languages on the list. The central idea behind it was to simplify the process of creating animations, designing games, and building interactive stories so that anyone could do it from the ground up. Kids feel like real game designers using Scratch, and even complete novices can create simple, completely custom games in minutes.

The other great thing about the Scratch platform and its community is that you are required to store your projects and their code on the Scratch server, which allows young learners to study how more advanced users have created complex games. If you have a classroom of kids who are interested in creating animations, interactive stories, art, or music, then Scratch is a coding language that can be learned online for free. While this language is simple enough for children, there are enough functionalities and options that even experienced programmers use the language. Scratch also has a very interactive online community where people share their artwork and games, which can further engage your students.

2.Python

Python is a programming language that reads like normal speech. If your kids or students are going to learn something like coding, then you would want them to get a basic grasp on how to think like a programmer. With Python, students will have very few obstacles with regards to learning how to program. They will be able to learn how to construct programming ideas within their heads and then focus on transferring these ideas into instructions that the machine can interpret. Many of the common functionalities that programmers need are already built into the programming language, which makes this a great language for kids to learn. Python is a powerful, text-based computer programming language that children as young as age 8 can easily use to express themselves. This specific type of code acts both as a jumping-off point for mastering other languages, and a strong enough tool for serious game/web/app development and programming for kids.

There are numerous game-based and self-directed courses online that make learning Python a unique, fun, and highly engaging experience for kids. Python is a great choice for introducing children to coding because this programming language insists upon using good code layouts. It also encourages users to use online support and extensive Python libraries.

As they start to play more and more with Python, your children will learn how to properly use fundamental data structures like lists, tuples, and maps. Mastering variables, loops, and other functions in Python will give them a great foundation for tackling more advanced programming in the future.

They’ll also overcome the complexity that comes with controlling different structures in Python. Drawing shapes and patterns with the Python turtle module will help your kids overcome their first barriers with animation and game design. In no time, they’ll be able to code their apps for Mac, PC, or Linux.

3.Java

Since its release back in 2011, Minecraft has become the center of attention of many children across the globe. Even though a lot of adults still believe it is just another game, Minecraft has proven itself to be much more than that. It is an extremely powerful tool for teaching kids how to use logic, solve problems, and strengthen some more core academic skills.

And that’s just when they’re in the basic user phase. Once your children start to look beyond the start operations, it will become transparent to them that Minecraft is a highly adaptive playground, open for customization. When kids start to like the game, you can introduce them to “mods.” Short for modifications, mods all the changes that kids can introduce to the game. They can change everything – the characters’ objects, landscapes, specific characteristics, etc. The possibilities are endless.

To introduce a particular mod to the game, the player needs to write a bit of code. This is where things get interesting. Minecraft runs on Java, and the game’s open architecture allows the users to access Minecraft’s Java source code.

Java is arguably a bit harder to learn than either Ruby or Python, but choosing Java as a first-time programming language will make learning any subsequent language a bit easier for students. Many students have already thought about creating their apps or websites but simply don’t know where to start. Java has been around for two decades and there are so many online resources, toolkits, and tutorials that virtually anything can be created from the ground up using Java. There are a few initial hurdles to overcome, such as installing JDK and understanding how the syntaxes work, but the object-oriented setup of the programming language makes it easy for students to progress. Java looks similar to C and C++ but offers more functionalities, thereby enables students to create more robust programs.

4.Ruby

Ruby has the most readable syntax for beginner programmers. Instead of spending a lot of time explaining the code that students are typing into machines, a lot of it will be self-explanatory for them. This is a really important factor for children who are still learning the concepts of programming. At the end of the day, children will need to learn the concepts To write good scripts. Ruby is a very robust language and it was originally used to create Twitter, so you can immediately show students that the application is a tool that gets used in popular platforms.

5.C++ and C

Many computer science experts and developers have different opinions about whether a student should start with C++ or not. This programming language can look a bit like math and might put students off the idea of learning to code. Once the fundamentals of programming are understood, however, C++ can open many doors into the world of programming. Many of today’s most successful programmers started learning to code with C or C++.

Unity is a popular game engine that can teach kids how to code while creating professional quality games. It is a closed-source, cross-platform game development app, in which users can play around with objects in 3D and add various elements to them. The scripts can be written in C which is a language quite similar to Java.

C is a powerful program and it can be used for almost anything. Of course, it has its special strengths – one of them being Windows app development. 

Programming is a useful skill for virtually anyone. It teaches you to think about how a process works. It teaches you to think about the steps that are needed to make a process happen and how to solve problems.

Therefore, 

Every child is different, and there is no one size fits all solution to kids coding languages. The languages evaluated here are all excellent, and you might consider starting with a visual block language first and then see if your child is ready for some. All it requires is a regular practice that can make your child a proficient programmer. 

Le Frehindi also provides online courses for kids who want to learn to code. You can participate in the prestigious Coding Olympiad and boost your coding skills.

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Happy coding!

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