Coding for Kids
Table of Contents
5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Tynker
Tynker programming courses are self-guided and self-paced, but there are always things you can do to make your child’s experience more successful and fun. We talked to a few parents whose kids have completed multiple Tynker courses to get an idea of how they helped to keep their children engaged and learning. Here’s what they recommend:
1. Choose a learning path
We’ve seen a lot of success when young learners start with one of our three beginner courses: Glitch Manor (7-9), Turing’s Tower (10-11), and Goblin Quest (12+).
If your child has a passion for Minecraft, our Mod Starter Pack is a great place for them to get a taste for modding. Then, once they’ve mastered the basics with one of our three beginner courses, they can return to our more advanced Python, JavaScript, or Augmented Reality courses.
2. Celebrate milestones
To finish a Tynker course or publish a big project, your child had to persevere through challenging bugs and complicated concepts. Make sure you celebrate this moment! Recognizing your child’s effort and hard work can help incentivize them to continue coding and creating.
3. Learn from others
Tynker is even more fun with a friend. Collaborating on projects with friends can be a great way to problem solve or generate new ideas through brainstorming. You can also sign in on the free Tynker app for iPads and Android tablets and go to the “Community” section to browse what other kids are making. Your child can do far more than just play these projects; they can open up the code and see how the projects work as well. New projects are pushed out every few minutes, so check back often to see what’s new!
4. It’s Tynker time!
Whether you choose to work with your kids or let them learn on their own, try to develop a routine. If programming becomes a habit, that’s what will stick. Starting with 20 minutes of Tynker a day can help keep concepts fresh in your child’s mind and get them in the rhythm of programming. Some parents like to designate one or two days a week to spend time on Tynker. You could have Tynker Tuesday!
5. Let them teach you
Why should kids have all the fun? Once your child is comfortable with Tynker, let them step into the role of teacher and school you on programming. They could walk you through the code of a project they’ve made, go through a lesson with you and explain how it works, or help you make your own project.
Ready to start coding?
