Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 9-year-old Dana from England! She likes to draw and color. When she grows up, she wants to animate movies and TV shows or code apps. Dana spoke with us about her experience coding with Tynker:
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
Actually, it was my friend. I went to my friend’s house and she had the app and she was showing me how to use it because I actually had downloaded it before. And she showed me one of the projects in it, like the flower one where you touch it and it spawns a flower and she taught me. And then I went home and I saw other people’s projects, and I just learned how to do more and more! I probably found the app a year ago.
How did you learn to use Tynker?
Those projects where it teaches you animation like if you press the button then it shows your projects. It can show you what I used!
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
Well, because when I started like I said I barely knew any coding. I have barely ever seen any animations people have made but I have made one my own!
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I was really happy and I was making sure every second I saw it got like more likes and it made me really happy!
What’s your favorite project you’ve made so far?
My favorite one is probably the one I’ve completed, which is called Beauty Salon!
How long did it take you to make?
It took me a couple days because I made up the first bit of a project. I went away from it the next day and then I did more!
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
Well, I see other people’s projects and lots of the time I see these amazing dress-ups, amazing drawings and stuff and like I really want to do that!
Why do you like to code?
It’s fun when you’re bored you can just sit there and do it. And then when you make a full project you’re like, oh I really enjoyed that!
What’s your favorite way to use code?
Well, broadcast because it’s good and I didn’t know that I could barely code anything but now I know what you can do with it!
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
I just publish it!
What are you planning to make next?
Basically, a dragon when you can turn into a person you can collect coins and stuff because I made one of those a long time ago that I didn’t like anymore so I’m making a new one basically!
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
It’s not just like, oh here’s what you need to code, like some similar apps where you just have to follow what it says. You can just code whatever you want!
Has learning to code prepared you for the future?
When I grow up, by that time, I’ve probably learned how to code a proper app!
Do you think other kids should try coding?
Yes! You can create whatever you want!
What advice would you give to kids starting with Tynker?
Look at other people’s projects and make sure you remix people’s projects to see how they made it!
Bonus: What’s a fun fact about you?
I like artsy things, arts and crafts!
What’s your favorite subject in school?
Oh, my favorite subject normally is English.
Dana’s father, Kevin, spoke with us about his daughter learning to code with Tynker:
I think it’s great. She’s a perfectionist so she always wants to make sure it’s done right. They’re quite imaginative and quite impressive. And obviously, this is all stuff that our generation is above our heads so it’s good to see her doing it.
How do you support Dana’s coding endeavors?
Well, what I’ve done for her birthday last year I’ve set up a little desk area so she’s got the space to actually sit down and do it all plugged in.
What benefits do you think coding has for your child?
When this generation starts to get towards the end of their schooling education it’s going to be a vast industry that hasn’t been there before so I think it will help prepare for that.
Do you feel that your child is better prepared for the future?
Yeah, definitely, when they’re going to high school and are sat down in front of the computer to be ahead of the class and with the experience of knowing how things work in that industry.
Thank you!
We want to thank Dana and her father for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what Dana creates next – HAPPY CODING!
