Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 4th grader Leo from Hawaii! When he grows up, he would like to create apps. Awesome! Leo recently spoke with us about his experience coding with Tynker.
What are some of your hobbies?
After school, I play video games.
That’s fantastic. What’s your favorite subject in school?
Math and science because they are both interesting.
How long have you been coding?
I’ve been coding ever since I was in kindergarten.
How did you learn how to use Tynker?
I did Dragon Spells and Space Cadet a lot when I was in kindergarten. Also, I like Crystal Clash because it’s a fun battle game. I’ve learned from tutorials. They tell you what the code blocks do. I learned variables.
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
I did a lot more projects. It expanded the knowledge a lot because variables can keep track of things like health or score or something.
How did you feel when you found out your coding project had been featured?
I feel very excited because like other people could see them in the featured page and it could fill all likes and views.
What’s your favorite project you’ve made so far?
Fish Island Conker and Fire vs Ice. I like to play with my brother. I think he beat me a few times. I got this idea from watching Star Wars.
So how do you get inspiration for your coding projects?
I get inspiration from the stuff I watch or sometimes it just pops up in my head when I’m taking a bath. I get lots of my ideas when I’m taking a bath. Sometimes I get ideas when I’m almost asleep and I have to write them down because I might forget.
Why do you like to code?
I like to code because it lets you create projects and you’re not stuck with other people’s projects.
What’s your favorite way to use code?
I like the variables. Those ones are very, very good because they help keep track of health.
Do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
Yeah, I can create my own games.
Do you think other kids should try coding?
Yes. You should try coding because it helps to learn how to solve problems, like I can solve bugs.
What advice would you give to kids starting to code with Tynker?
I would advise those kids to start on the courses because those are easiest. And then after a course like Dragon Spells or maybe Space Cadet, they could start creating projects on their own and remix other people’s projects, or maybe learn how to use physics.
That’s great advice. What’s a fun fact about you?
I like to play Rubik’s Cube and so does my little brother.
That’s fantastic.
Parent Questions
We asked Leo’s mother, Peggy, how she felt about her son learning to code with Tynker:
I feel good that he likes coding by himself because I know coding is more and more important and it’s everywhere. So I wish he will like it. Finally, it turns out he liked it by himself and I feel lucky that the school introduced this program to him in kindergarten.
What benefits do you think coding has for your child?
It’s interesting, he will come up with ideas when he’s bored. He comes up
with ideas and tries to make it. Tynker is a good platform to do this.
I think it’s good that he can just stay in the Tynker platform. It was introduced by school. That made me feel safe. That’s the important thing. That made me feel safe because I know it’s monitored by the school at least, and because it’s for students, so the safety is good.
I can let him explore there safely, and he really enjoys posting projects. I will get the email that your child published a project. And he did enjoy showing his projects and getting some likes from other people.
Do you feel that Leo is better prepared for the future?
I hope so. I just wish he can find something he really likes to do. For example, he just plays Tynker, wants to make games, and some funny games. We wish he can learn some field later, based on his achievements.
But now he really enjoys just making some games, some fun games. So I wish he can learn when he’s happy making something, and just learn some skill. I think he will get something. He will benefit a lot from this, just learning and just making for some fun.
I really enjoyed meeting you both. Great job, Leo, congratulations.
We want to thank Leo and his mother for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what she creates next – HAPPY CODING!
