Kids should be exposed to several different computer-related programs so they can cultivate their aptitude for this skill. Anyone who will be working with computers at some point should have a working knowledge of the basics of programming. As all the programming languages are built on the same basic fundamentals that show learning a language syntax is not difficult, adapting that basic fundamentals are the key to holding a grip on programming languages.
Nowadays, AP computer science is taking over the globe and generating great opportunities for potential kids to get to know about that basic fundamentals so that they master themselves in coding. If you want to learn coding, geekedu is the best platform to learn to code for kids.
So without wasting any more time, let’s take a look at the 7 core fundamentals that all kids should learn.
1: Algorithms:
An algorithm is a series of steps to accomplish a task. Computers, smartphones, and websites all rely on them to make decisions and run correctly. Many tasks we perform in AP computer science, like algorithms, are done as our technology does. You can write an algorithm in your native language using your own words. For example, here I am writing an algorithm to prepare a tea; how can we do that:
First, you have to take a cup of water and boil it in a pot. Secondly, put sugar and tea powder in it and wait until it is boiled. Third, put some milk in it, and last it is ready to be served.
Coding for kids requires this to be mastered.
2: Sequencing:
Your algorithms guide you through the process in which you write the steps to achieve your task, and sequencing guides you through it in the correct order. Sequencing is an essential step of coding for kids in AP computer science; if you know the steps and think that it’s enough for you, you are at mistake. Let me tell you how it works; take the previous example where we proposed how to make a tea, and if you put sugar and tea powder first instead of water, then it all messed up. You better be careful what is order or sequence you are taking because the algorithm does depend on the sequence
3: Conditionals:
Decisions in programming languages are made through the use of conditionals. An expression can be categorized as conditional if it returns either true or false. Their primary purpose is to help navigate program flow by being implemented in conditional statements and while loops. Let us see how the conditional works, and you indeed observe it in daily life; your mom says that did you turn the Television off? If yes, that’s ok, but if not, you have to turn it off now. Now that is that point where decision-making is used. For beginners to achieve perfection in coding for kids, you first have a grip on this primary fundamental.
4: Loops:
Loops are a computational thinking concept that children are already utilizing in their daily activities. Kids will recognize when loops are helpful and understand when they have used loops before in AP computer science. Let us consider a daily life example of loops where you thought about using a self-service ATM with software that processes transactions in a loop, waiting for you to acknowledge that you have finished. Coding for kids with loops is much easier and essential where you will find to make your work less time is taken and easy by understanding the fundamentals of loops.
5: Coordinates:
It’s almost guaranteed that kids will face these terms in math courses since we’ve added them to our list. Children develop and practice locating points by constructing visual representations, such as sketches, long before they learn to use the coordinate plane formally in school. Kids can benefit immensely from seeing how simple changes in coordinates cause images to change locations on a screen, which is especially helpful in helping them transition between these two realms. The concept of coordinates is both essential to math and can be built upon by coding as well.
6: Variables:
Variables have names and store values. A variable in many programming languages is simply a container you can store information in. A variable is like a box that has something inside. To find out what is in the box, you can either open it or put something else inside. To fully understand variables in AP computer science, let’s take a look at the example. Think of a variable, like “Score,” which represents the player’s score. When they earn a point, the variable is increased by one.
7: Functions:
Functions are the computer code components that get given information and use it to accomplish a task. A simple example is a mathematical function that accepts two numbers as inputs and gives you the sum of the numbers. Think about the messages you see on websites like Facebook: short sentences that read “Hello.” Your name will appear in the phrase “Hello [your name]!” because your name is input from the application. The function says “Hello Shaun!” if your name is Shaun. Kids will be able to recognize when functions are helpful and understand when they have used Functions before in AP computer science in daily life.
Conclusion:
As we previously discussed, if your student succeeds in learning these principles, their knowledge of math and logic will improve their problem-solving and analytical reasoning. This will help them develop a solid skill set that will serve as a solid foundation for their education and career options both inside and outside of the tech industry.
To assist your student in mastering these 21st-century skills, Geekedu is also here. We have Coding for Kids classes available for students of all ages to learn coding programming languages like Python, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript from eight to eighteen years old.
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