Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 9th grader Adithi from Saudi Arabia! She likes robotics, but she also plays basketball and skateboards. Adithi spoke with us about her experience coding with Tynker:
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
I actually got it on my last birthday. I got a subscription from my uncle. And then since it was COVID, I decided it would be a nice way to learn something new. It was actually pretty fun, and then I started to love it and I continued it.
How did you learn to use Tynker?
I started with block coding, and then watching the tutorials and like learning from those tutorial transcripts. And then I moved on to Python and text coding.
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
I think they’ve improved by a lot because before Tynker I knew just a little bit of block coding, but now I know a lot about Python. I know a lot more about block coding.
How did it feel to have your project featured?
I was very excited because it motivated me. I’d like to feel like I can actually do something, and then I realized how far I went and that made me really happy.
What’s your favorite project you’ve made so far?
When I first started Tynker there was this project that I made where there’s this dog and then there are some foods and it used augmented reality where you can push the correct foods for the dog, like what foods dogs can specifically eat.
Where did you get the idea for your project?
Actually, I wanted to inform my parents about what foods dogs can eat and can’t eat so I just made a game about that. Took me about one or two weeks!
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
Probably from real life just like where I am and what’s happening to me.
Why do you like to code?
I just like to code because I like good problem-solving, and then when I create a final result, it just makes me feel proud to know that I made this, and it feels like a big accomplishment that I have achieved this.
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
Well, if it’s a picture or an animation I just show it to my family. But if it’s a game, I show it to my sister first because she loves games so it’s like she has the best reaction.
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
I love everything, but I think the one that’s like the best is all the tutorials are really easy to understand and even for a super beginner, they’ll probably get the hang of it, sooner or later.
Do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
I think you need to have some sort of experience with code when becoming a programmer. So I feel like if I grew up, it’ll become easier because usually I think poets have something similar just like, it’s like the backstory kind of about functions and everything. So I think it would be pretty easy when I grow up, it would, I’d have some sort of understanding about it.
Do you think other kids should try coding?
Yes, definitely. It’s actually really fun when you get into it. For example, if you take a game like Minecraft, if you analyze it and see how much code is actually in it, it’s really surprising and fascinating to see it.
What advice would you give to kids starting with Tynker?
Probably they should have a lot of patience because when you’re creating a project, there’s so many things that could go wrong. So, some people might just quit in the middle, but if you have the patience and look through the resources maybe you can find your problem. And when you solve your problem it just makes you feel very proud.
Bonus: What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m about to get my black belt in karate. I’ve been doing it for six years.
Code Jam Questions
How did you come up with your code jam idea?
I actually live right beside the beach so I see it every morning when I wake up, and since I’m in Saudi Arabia, I always see palm trees around me so I decided to make this palm tree on an island in the sunrise or sunset. So, it’s just kind of matching with my real life.
How long did it take to complete the project?
I think around four to five days.
Did you have any interesting challenges?
It was my first time using my pen blocks, like the code and making all the different leaves. It was kind of challenging to find the correct vertexes, but other than that it was okay.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
Probably math because it’s kind of related, and I just like math in general.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m thinking a programmer or a coder.
Parent Questions
Adithi’s mother, Chandra, spoke with us about her daughter learning to code with Tynker:
I was a software programmer. I’m happy for them. You know I’m especially proud. Give it to the kids, they can easily grasp it.
Do you think coding has helped her in other areas?
Patience and perseverance. Sometimes it is very frustrating, you know programming, you are on the project and sometimes you don’t get what you want, the end result. So I tell her to take a break, come back with a fresh mind and then you know you might think of another logic.
What benefits do you think coding has for Adithi?
Problem-solving, basically logic. And when you play a game, it’s not just what they see, you know, they start thinking about what’s happening behind the screen. So that’s actually good for them. They start talking about something beyond what is just visible to their eye.
Do you feel that she’s better prepared for the future?
She’s just made a start, there’s a lot more in the world. But yes, I think she maintains the same pace, she should be prepared for the future.
Thank you!
We want to thank Adithi and her mother for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what Adithi creates next – HAPPY CODING!
