Here’s how you can help your child learn a programming language faster
Computer programmers or coders are one of the highest paid professionals today. Motivating your kids to pick up this new-age skill will benefit them in numerous ways. But learning a programming language efficiently cannot be an overnight success. However, it’s not rocket science either. All it requires is an innate love for problem-solving, a good amount of patience and commitment. Let us take you through some easy tips to help your budding coder in learning a programming language successfully.
Make them understand the fundamentals of programming
Well, like any other new task, jotting down a few lines of code in any programming language requires a good knowledge of the basics. Hence, you can sit down with your little coder and make him understand the importance of working on strengthening the fundamentals of programming first rather than jumping to more fancy and difficult topics in the module. Doing so will help your programmer to deal with tougher programming concepts with much ease.
Encourage your kids to write down codes instead of typing them out
Although computer monitors are becoming thinner, hard drives are becoming lighter, and programming languages are becoming more powerful, coding by hand remains one of the most effective ways to learn any programming language. Hence, encourage your kid to make use of a whiteboard or a notebook when they want to practise. Following this method will bring more precision and clarity behind the intent of writing that particular line of code.
Help them strike a balance between active and passive learning
Whether learning a new programming language as a beginner or trying to figure out new features of an existing programming language, assist your young programmer in finding that aspirational sweet spot between conceptual (theory) and practical (experiment) learning. This will help her learn faster. To begin with, you can help your kids start with a 2:1 ratio where they can devote two hours to theory by reading books on programming languages or watching YouTube tutorials and spend the next one hour attempting- to write a code. Encourage your budding to coder to build a personal project. It will allow him the freedom to play and tinker with that code rather than working on a single line of thought when stuck somewhere.
Help them space out the learning schedule to avoid burnout
As a parent, you can motivate your young programmer to not cram up everything at once. Rather, encourage him to study in a self-paced manner that would allow him to maintain a balance. For example, tell him to devote one day each to a seven-hour coding course such that he can revisit the concepts and also clarify his doubts. On the contrary, trying to cram up everything through rote learning has higher chances of leading to burnout for the young coder.