Kids are leaning to code, which isn’t news any more. With the rise of STEM education, more and more parents are paying attention to helping their kids explore their interest in STEM subjects, such as coding. As exciting as it sounds, where do you start? What are some of the best coding languages for kids out there? Here, we’ll introduce you to what we believe are the top five coding languages for kids.
1. Scratch 3.0
Scratch was created by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab as a children’s programming language. It is believed to be the best programming language for kids ages 8 to 16. This coding language incorporates a building-block interface and connects a kid’s progress learning to code with the experience of playing with building blocks.
2. Python
It’s really more important for your kids to think about how to program than to write lines and lines of code. Python is designed to present very few obstacles when it comes to learning how to program, and students will easily be able to learn how to construct programming ideas.
3. Swift
Swift is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm, compiled programming language. Developed by Apple Inc. for iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, Linux, and z/OS, it is an open-source coding language used by app developers all over the world. Swift is the future of Apple development.
4. Blockly
Blockly was developed by Google, and it works like Scratch, since both use the building-block approach to coding. Google, the developer, has also created a dedicated page for Blockly that provides added help and coding practice.
5. Java
Java plays a significant role in developing apps and creating websites. However, choosing Java means you are aiming for bigger fish. It is generally considered more difficult than Scratch and Python. That said, once you’ve learned and understood Java, the way is open for learning other, more basic, coding languages.
What if kids can learn all of these powerful coding languages through playing? Playing would make learning and understanding—and mastering—coding so much easier. And this is exactly what Makeblock has been dedicated to doing! Creators and researchers at Makeblock have developed many amazing coding robotic toys that will make coding easier and more fun. One of the newest transformable coding robot, Motionblock that Makeblcok has created will surely make you go “WOW”! .
Featuring a modular and programmable design, MotionBlock makes robot-building easier and allows a child’s creativity to run wild. Creations can also be programmed with basic graphical programming, such as Scratch via the mBlock app. Even users with no coding experience can quickly program the robot to perform tasks by using the software to drag coding blocks. Users can switch to Python with just one click or program directly in the Python edition via mBlock.
Whichever language you decide to let your kid learn first, it’s important to start the journey and try it out. More importantly, keep the learning experience fun. Makeblock’s new MotionBlock is built to keep kids engaged and learning.