Tips for starting programmers
Tip 1: Children learn to program by doing
You learn programming the fastest and best by actually doing it. This is especially true for children. Try things out, grab a code and adjust it. It is of course useful to read a manual, but kids learn most by doing it.
Tip 2: Google is your best friend
On our website you will find a lot of manuals and example projects. Although our range of instructions continues to grow, you will still need more information. There are numerous Dutch and English websites and forums on these topics. There is therefore a very good chance that someone else already has an answer for your question.
Tip 3: It is also useful for children to understand the basics
You probably want to start programming because you want to make something cool like a robot. That is of course a nice project, but it is also very big. It is important to master the basics before continuing. Otherwise you will run into things you cannot do yet, which is very discouraging. Take it step by step, start small and keep expanding. That way you never skip important steps in the learning process.
Tip 4: Go to a CoderDojo
There are dozens of CoderDojos in the India . At a CoderDojo, children between 7 and 17 years old can learn to program. The CodeDojos are organized on a voluntary basis and are generally completely free to attend. In principle, the CoderDojos are opened at least once a month. Get more online coding classes for kids
What can you expect from CoderDojo?
At CoderDojo you can learn everything about programming. Think of websites, games, apps or even robots!
Gaming
Gaming is of course a big part in the life of a developer. Not only building games, but also playing games is part of CoderDojo!
Technology
In addition to digital projects, you can also get started at CoderDojo with, for example, Arduino to build your own devices.
Make friends
The atmosphere at CoderDojo is very open and everyone is welcome! This way you can quickly get to know other children who are also learning to program.
Pizza
Devel Open and pizza go hand in hand. That is why we sometimes practice this by ordering pizza together in the evening!
Are you stuck with your project?
Are you working on a project yourself and are you struggling to resolve it? Then come to a CoderDojo, here are undoubtedly people who can help you further.
Tip 5: Play with the example code
If you found a sample code online, you probably read it first. This is not enough to really understand the code. If you really want to learn to code, you have to tinker with the code. The programs generally contain instructions and notes so that you know what the code does. However, reading is not the same as understanding, and actually trying to write the code yourself. We therefore always recommend not to copy and paste an example code, but to retype it. This is how you learn to program the fastest as a child.
Tip 6: Take a break if you can't figure it out
If you are going to debug (Detecting and fixing bugs / errors in the code) you can quickly get irritated. Debugging can take a long time if you have large code. There is also no assurance that the problem will be solved. To prevent this, it is best to do something else. If you come back later with a fresh perspective, you will probably be able to find the problem faster and easier. So if help isn't available through any of the above tips, take a break. This way you can clear your mind and come back later.
Programming fun for children?
Children can certainly learn to program in a fun way. Most programming languages are accessible for free, so you don't have to make an investment before you get started. Do you really enjoy programming in Scratch and have you already mastered it? Then we recommend purchasing a Micro: bit, Arduino or Raspberry Pi. It is more fun to be able to see the result of your work in real life instead of from your computer screen.