What Programming Language Should Kids Learn First? Why is Coding Important for Kids?

Our society is powered by technology and programming. Teaching children how to use, interact with, and perhaps change it appropriately may be a very important skill in other undertakings. However, not all programming languages are created equal. Some of the more difficult ones may deter children from ever learning to code. 

This is why programming languages for children are so crucial. They remove the complexities and hassles of traditional programming in order to enable children (and novices) to become acquainted with fundamental ideas. But, what programming language should kids learn first? Read on to find our top picks of programming languages for kids.

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What Programming Language Should Kids Learn First?

If you are looking for the best programming languages for kids, here are our top picks:

#1. Scratch

Scratch is a free-to-use instructional programming language that was designed primarily for children aged 8 to 16.  Because of its straightforward and highly visual interface, it is undoubtedly one of the most well-known block-based programming languages geared at children and beginner coders.

The Scratch platform gives children everything they need to create art, animations, videogames, interactive storytelling, and other projects. And they do it in a clear, uncomplicated manner, effectively keeping frustrations to a minimum and engagement to a maximum. This platform is a fantastic beginning point for teaching coding to children because of its bright colours, clear labelling, and fascinating characters.

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#2. Blockly

Another graphic block coding language for youngsters that comes strongly recommended is Blockly. In fact, it is frequently regarded as Google’s reaction to MIT’s Scratch.

At first look, the two platforms appear to be rather similar. To assist youngsters understand coding principles, Blockly likewise employs lines of code splatted into blocks and a drag-and-drop interface. This, like Scratch, reduces the chance of technical mistakes and lets children concentrate on the essentials. To keep the kids interested, this language has a beautiful interface.

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#3. ALICE

Alice is a simple, block-based visual coding language for children created by Carnegie Mellon University. It’s a cutting-edge coding environment that makes it very simple to create 3D animations, active narratives, and basic games.

Alice is intended to teach the fundamentals of object-oriented programming languages (such as C++) through creative inquiry, with a secondary emphasis on logical and analytical thinking abilities, essential programming concepts, and an overall core grasp of coding.

#4. LUA (Roblox)

Lua is an excellent choice for children who wish to begin (or expand) their knowledge of textual coding languages. It’s a free, portable, and user-friendly scripting language that explains basic principles while maximizing readability and efficiency.

This, however, has no bearing on its usefulness as a software or platform. Despite its basic interface and few complexities, Lua is one of the most powerful free programming languages accessible.

This coding language is sometimes compared to Python in that they are both streamlined text-based scripts designed to remove certain grammar errors that might make coding for youngsters difficult. There is no need, for example, to include semicolons at the end of each coding line

#5. JAVA (Minecraft)

We must admit, though, that we are not as enamoured of Java as we are of Lua. Java is a computer language that is adequate, effective, and efficient enough to be a popular choice among programmers. However, it is not our favourite programming language for children. The main reason we’ve included it on our list is that Java is the code of Minecraft, a virtual sandbox game platform that practically everyone knows.

Minecraft has steadily grown in popularity among children, teenagers, and even adults since its first release in 2011. The game’s sheer nature stimulates creative thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.

#6. C# (Unity)

C# is a popular gaming engine (named Unity) with its own language, rather than a computer language. Nonetheless, the platform as a whole is a wonderful tool for teaching youngsters how to code while they develop professional-looking, high-quality videogames. C#, as a cross-platform game creation program, allows users to experiment with 3D objects. They may also add other aspects to these items.

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Why is Coding Important for Children?

Here are some reasons why programming for kids is important:

Coding is Another Language

Language teaches youngsters how to communicate as well as how to think logically. Children must be exposed to a variety of languages from an early age. It allows children to have a better understanding of their surroundings.

Coding has its own language. Every character in the Alphabet is represented by a unique formula of 0’s and 1’s. What best alternative for our children to grasp why and how the tech around them works than to learn to program and communicate with it?

Coding Fosters Creativity

Children learn and improve their brains through experimenting. Even if they make mistakes, they learn from it. Children may be creative, and they are encouraged to do so. Creativity is a component of the process, not always the end result.

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Coding Helps with Math skills

Coding enables students to visualize abstract ideas, allows them to apply arithmetic to real-world circumstances, and makes math enjoyable and creative. Coding is used in STEM nowadays.

Enhances Academic Writing Performance

Youngsters who learn to code have a better understanding of how to plan and arrange their thoughts. This can lead to better writing skills, which can be enhanced as coding skills increase.

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Conclusion

As children learn to program and provide instructions, they recognize that there is no single proper way to accomplish things, even if their technique fails. They may expand on what they’ve done in the past without fear of failing. Coding is an essential digital literacy, and youngsters must learn, engage with, and grasp the technology around them.

Coding at a young age helps children prepare for the future. Coding increases children’s communication, arithmetic, creativity, writing, and confidence.

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Also Read: Daily Planner For Your Child During Home Quarantine