Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker and Coding Cup winner, 10-year-old Ethan from Western Australia! Ethan likes to play piano and code. Super! Ethan Recently spoke with us about his experience coding with Tynker.
Do you have an idea of what you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a remote designer and coder.
What’s your favorite subject in school and why?
Science because I like atoms and molecules.
So did you like Coding Cup?
It was awesome.
What was your favorite thing about Coding Cup?
Every time, basically, the other player’s code increases in difficulty, and then you have to edit your code against them.
What did your team look like?
Well, my three team members, they mostly looked the same except for a change in skin color. Then my shirt, it has a little blue ball and a face on each.
How did you learn how to use Tynker when you were first starting out? What are your favorite Tynker courses or tutorials? Have you been able to do any?
Well, I’ve been doing a physics course that teaches you about the gravity and applying forces and other stuff. How I learned how to use Tynker in the first place, it’s because I’ve actually been using another coding website called Scratch. From when I joined Tynker, I think I’ve been using Scratch for three years.
How did you feel when you found out you’re a featured maker for Coding
Cup?
Well, I was super happy.
Have you made a project yet? If so, which one is your favorite?
Well, my best project so far was the one for the 2022 Winter Code Jam. It finished third, and it got about 400 likes.
So tell me about the Code Jam. So how do you get inspiration for your projects?
Well, I did this theme of projects called Planet Balls. I’ve done it from about June last year on Scratch. And then for the Tynker Winter Code Jam, I decided to do it in here. It’s probably my best animation so far.
So why do you like to code?
Well, you’re trying to express your creativity and make your own projects and programs.
What is your favorite way to use code? Do you have a favorite code block?
Well, there is a lot of animation code blocks in Tynker, and they’re quite useful.
What are you planning to make next?
Well, I’m working on a program. It’s a game called Circle of Madness. When you’re a blue circle, you have to avoid the red circles and catch the green circles.
So what’s the best thing about Tynker?
Well, the best thing about Tynker, it has a lot of courses and a lot of coding multiplayer games in there.
How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
Well, I think it will prepare me for the future, and helps you think logically.
Do you think that other kids should try coding? Why is that?
Yes. Because coding is a fun way to introduce kids to computer science.
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
I’d say try the Coding Cup. It lets them get started with coding in a fun competitive way.
We spoke with Ethan’s dad about Ethan learning to code.
So how do you feel about Ethan learning to code? How does it feel to see the coding projects and the competitions that he’s in and the stuff he’s making?
God, I think it’s great. It was very competitive. He wants to win. And it really helps him think logically, problem solve. I guess he gets frustrated sometimes, but it’s good for his development. But I think it’s very positive. It’s very different to when I was a young child. Things like this that doesn’t exist, and coding is a lot more difficult.
Tynker is very child friendly. And the great thing about Tynker is because it’s I think a lot of the things is when you publish it is moderated and it’s not some other platforms you get a lot of other different people or nonchildren or people participating in discussions. Tynker is a lot more sort of protected, if you will.
Do you feel like your child is better prepared for the future?
Yeah, I think so. I think it helps him find a hobby for start. And it helps him think logically, problemsolve, and learn to code. Generally thinking about the logic and coding and planning to code. I always try to teach him to have a plan, not just jump into it and sort of just make it up on the go.
How do you support your child in their coding endeavors?
Oh, I let him join websites like Tynker. He also uses a few other ones. Yeah. I just let him play with it and give him feedback. Sometimes looking at his code and thinking, “Okay,” especially Coding Cup when he’s losing, or, “What did you do wrong? Why is the player doing this?” Giving some feedback, I think, is one way to give him support.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what Ethan creates next – HAPPY CODING!
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