Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 6th grader Grady from Ohio! His favorite subject in school is math, and when he grows up he wants to be a baseball player! Grady talked with us about his experience coding with Tynker:
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
I learned about it in like second and third grade when my cousin introduced it to me.
How did you learn to use Tynker?
I liked to do Space Cat or Dragon Quest, those things.
Have your coding skills have improved since you started using Tynker?
A lot, um, when I started all I knew how to use was like move this many pixels and hide and show blocks.
Do you have a favorite code block?
The repeat until block. Oh my gosh, this is the best. Or on the broadcast block. Those are my two.
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I was running all around the house.
Do you have a favorite project that you’ve made so far?
I’ve made a rodeo game. It took me like two weeks, and I just liked all of the functions and everything that happens inside of it.
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
Basically, I just find them anywhere, anyhow.
Why do you like to code?
I feel like it’s been a challenge and then it’s just fun in general. You basically have like infinite possibilities.
What do you do with your finished projects?
I just publish immediately.
What’s the best thing about coding with Tynker?
I really like, um, the block selection and like that it’s really actually easy to code on it, not like some other platforms.
Has learning to code prepared you for your future?
If I get a career in coding, then this has definitely been a help.
Do you think that other kids should try coding?
Definitely 100%.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m completely obsessed with cookies. I don’t bake them. I draw them, specifically chocolate chip cookies.
Viktor’s mother, Nicole, talked with us about her son learning to code with Tynker:
I love it. He’s always very proud to show me what he’s done, and I’m usually very blown away because I don’t know anything about it. I never was taught how to code in school or anything, so, yeah, it’s awesome. And if he goes into it in the future, it’s even better. I love a head start, so that’s pretty cool.
Do you think coding has helped him in other areas?
I think it helps him with not being afraid to try things out when it comes to technology. It does help him with frustration a little bit because he used to get upset when things didn’t quite go his way, but he’s learned, you know, okay, I’ll try it. And if it doesn’t work, I’ll do it again this way and see if that works.
What benefits do you think coding has for Grady?
Patience, for sure, and perseverance to kind of work through some of those bugs and issues that he’s having with getting something to work the way he wants to. I mean, it seems technology is definitely advancing, and he’s way beyond where I am for technology.
So, he’s more well prepared because of Tynker with all the apps that they use at school and things like that. He’s a step ahead already because he’s learning it at such a young age, and he’s doing it on his own independently, which is a great way to learn anything.
Thank you!
We want to thank Grady and his mother for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what Grady creates next – HAPPY CODING!
