In this era of incredible technology, people worldwide connect face to face in an instant, and knowledge travels just as quickly. It’s possible for kids to waste untold hours in front of a screen without obtaining anything useful.
Alternatively, they can connect with knowledgeable people about important subjects that give them a leg up on their classmates and, one day, competitors in the workforce. Let’s check out how the best online coding programs for kids and teens give the support they need to learn how to program.
Coding Teaches Kids to Build Video Games
The best programming courses teach kids how to code their own video games, so they’ll be motivated to learn these new skills. Children, and for that matter, even adults, get addicted to playing video games, just wait to see how much they love building the code!
When kids can learn to code online in ways that they find fun and natural, they’re way more responsive, and the results improve accordingly.
Coding Languages Professionals Use
Some computer courses teach young kids basic drag-and-drop programs like Scratch, which professional coders never use on the job. Such programs may give kids a sense of what coding is like but won’t familiarize them with the coding languages used to build video games people actually play or apps people use.
Look for a coding program that teaches fundamental coding languages used by industry professionals everywhere, such as:
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- C#
- C++
When your child can learn the same language used to build popular games like World of Warcraft, they’ll have the tools they need to be ready for the jobs of the future.
Small Online Classes
Anybody who has ever been in a large Zoom meeting for work or among friends knows that more people in the chat make it hard for conversations to be orderly and organized. Just like in-person classes run smoother with a low ratio of teachers to students, the best online coding programs have a maximum of four students per teacher.
Your child shouldn’t have to battle for their teacher’s attention with the other students when learning to code.
Young Teachers with the Right Experience
Young kids need relatable teachers who understand their experiences and the road ahead of them. The ideal teacher is one old enough to have studied Computer Engineering or Computer Science, but young enough to have also grown-up playing video games as kids.
Practically speaking, such teachers also have relevant experience when it comes to coding professionally and in school. If children or teens have questions about what the job hunt for coders is like or what type of jobs are available, they’ll have a perfect resource easily at hand.
The internet is an impossibly vast space. Children may spend their time online on everything from harmless diversions, dangerous disinformation, or wonderful programs that teach them coding skills needed for the future. Keep the above tips in mind and make a wise choice for your kid.
