Why Coding?

There’s been a lot of buzz about kids learning to code lately. This year, almost 200 million students around the world were exposed to coding through the Hour of Code event. And over 90% of American parents want programming added to their child’s curriculum.¹

In today’s digital world, coding is a fundamental skill alongside math and reading, but too few kids have the opportunity to learn to program because it is rarely taught in school.

Tynker’s mission is to create a fun and engaging platform where children not only learn to program, but also have opportunities to be creative using code.

Here’s why learning to code is so important for children:

• Coding drives innovation. From self-driving cars to robot-assisted surgery to social media, computer science is revolutionizing every aspect of our lives. Coding is a fundamental skill that children need to learn so they can lead this movement.
• Coding allows kids to be creative. They can create projects that do really amazing things.
• Coding builds confidence. It is incredibly empowering for children to be able to create projects and show them off to family and friends.
• Coding is best learned early. Learning to code is similar to learning a second language. The earlier that children are exposed to fundamental topics like sequencing, loops, and conditionals, the more deeply they absorb these concepts.
• Coding translates to success in other areas. Learning to program supports learning in other areas, like math, reading, and science.

Tynker makes it easy and fun for children to code

When children jump straight into a traditional programming language like Python or Javascript, they get bored and discouraged. Tynker strips away the syntax and provides exciting activities so children can learn the programming concepts they need to code in any language without all the frustration. With Tynker’s courses and activities, kids have fun while they learn, so they stay engaged and continue learning and creating.

Kids, parents, and teachers love Tynker

“Tynker seems to strike the right balance between education and entertainment. The kids don’t realize they are learning.” — Anna P., Parent

“[My daughter] has learned persistence at getting things done and the confidence to work through complex challenges.” — Andrea J., Parent

“Tynker is great for confidence building. I like that [my daughter] is in control. It gives her a lot of confidence to feel that she is learning such cool stuff all by herself. With Tynker, she feels no less than anyone and feels empowered.” — Sue J., Parent

“One of my students who struggled academically quickly established himself as a leader when it came to coding and volunteered to assist other students with their projects every chance he got. As a result, his academic and personal growth has been phenomenal.” — Jenny Anderson, Teacher

How to get started with Tynker

Have your child try all of our free activities on the Hour of Code page and download our free app for Apple tablets. If your child is ready for an accelerated experience, Tynker offers courses for children to learn to code at home or at school. Your child can start learning and creating today!