
Jeff
Challenges and Obstacles in Learning Coding For Kids
15.3.2023When kids are learning how to code, they face challenges and obstacles. Often, these problems are related to their own motivation and engagement levels.
Coding for kids is a powerful tool for children that can help them build resilience. It encourages problem-solving and critical thinking, and it’s also a great way to develop empathy and interpersonal skills.
1. Low Motivation
One of the biggest challenges and obstacles in learning Coding for Kids is low motivation. This can be a huge problem because there are so many opportunities and jobs out there in the future that require computer skills.
To overcome this, you must motivate them to continue learning and not give up at the first sign of difficulty. This will teach them persistence and resilience which are valuable life skills for their future career.
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Another way to boost their motivation is to encourage them to keep their study area organized. This will make them feel that you are on their side and doing your best to help them succeed.
Another great motivator is to show them how much fun coding can be! You can show them how coding can be used to create websites, games, and even apps. This will help them see that coding is not just for professionals, but it is also a skill they can learn that will help them be successful in their future careers.
2. Low Engagement
Kids tend to have short attention spans – in some cases, theirs is only 3-5 minutes – so the challenge can be keeping their engagement with new concepts long enough for them to make progress.
To get them past that, you need to keep Programming for Kids engaging and accessible, not intimidating or difficult. Start by finding a way to connect your kids’ new knowledge to things they already enjoy or are interested in, whether it be their favorite video games, an invention they want to try, or another topic that interests them.
For example, if your kids are into video games, introduce the concept of a variable as a character that stores information about their game score or their level, which can be used in future gameplay. Once they understand this, coding can be a natural progression to creating their own games or apps. This will help them develop skills that are transferable to a wide range of jobs and career paths in the future.
3. Lack of Expertise
Trying to figure out how to code in a new language can be daunting. Fortunately, many coding apps are available to help you out.
One of the best aspects of coding for kids is the way it gets them thinking about how to solve problems. The process of designing and building a computer program can be a bit of a challenge, but the resulting product is a lot of fun for everyone involved.
Getting kids to try something new and innovative is always a good thing, especially when it has to do with a technology that is the envy of many adults. The best part is that it only takes a few minutes to get the ball rolling, and they are bound to be entertained along the way. The coding craze is not going away, so keep the kids on their toes and you will soon see them mastering the code! Keeping them inspired with the latest coding toys can be tricky, but the most important rule of thumb is to never force them to do something that they don’t want to.
4. Lack of Time
Coding is a time-consuming process. Many children have limited time to devote to learning this new skill.
Luckily, there are multiple ways to learn coding for kids. One option is through an instructional video on YouTube. Another is through a book or curriculum.
A good coding curriculum is built concept by concept and is age appropriate. This is important for children as they are different than adults in terms of their abstract abilities and reading level.
This may sound like a lot of work but if it is done correctly, it can be fun and rewarding for the entire family.
This is especially true when you consider the impact that coding skills will have on your child’s future job prospects. With so many jobs being replaced by AI, coding is an essential skill that will keep your child in demand for the rest of their lives. It is a great investment in their future!