Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 9-year-old Alexander from California! Alexander likes to play video games. Super! Alexander 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 math teacher.
What’s your favorite subject in school, and why?
My favorite subject in school is math because I like numbers.
So how did you get introduced to Tynker, and how long have you been coding?
I got introduced to Tynker in school. In second grade, we had coding class, and in coding class we did Tynker.
How did you learn how to use Tynker when you were first starting out? What are some of your favorite Tynker courses or tutorials?
I did the Barbie world.
How have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
My coding skills have improved because, in the beginning, I knew nothing about coding, but after using Tynker, I can make games and projects.
What is your favorite project you’ve made so far? What do you like about it?
My favorite project is Fruit Ninja because I learned a new statement called the random statement.
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
I come up with ideas, then I look at other people’s projects and then think if they can make my project better.
Why do you like to code?
I like to code because, in the future, everything is going to be about technology. And I know technology is coding, so that’s why I code.
What is your favorite way to use code? Do you have a favorite code block?
My favorite code block is a loop because you can put it in a loop instead of having to write it over and over again.
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it? Do you debug it? Show it to someone? Publish it?
I look at a project, and if there are any mistakes, I debug it. And then after there are no more mistakes, I publish it.
What are you planning to make next?
I’m planning to make a calculator that makes graphs, but for now, I just want to make a basic calculator first.
How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
It has prepared me for the future because in the future, I want to become a math major, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to use coding a lot.
Do you think other kids should try coding?
I think other kids should try coding because it’s fun, and as I mentioned before, in the future, everything’s going to be about technology.
We spoke with Alexander’s mom about Alexander learning to code
What benefits do you think coding has for your child? What skills besides the technical skills of learning to code does it help him learn?
I think he learns to be creative because sometimes when he wants to come up with a project, he needs to think about it, and then he also learns how to solve, the critical thinking part because it’s not easy. And then it also teaches him how to be patient and then come up with an idea because, in the community, we saw a lot of projects. Because sometimes he wants to browse to see what others doing. And then I say, “Don’t just make the same thing. Just kind of improve it or add in some features or something.” So it’s kind of making him more creative and then patient with the logic behind it, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what Alexander creates next – HAPPY CODING!
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