Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 4th grader Liam from Guatemala! His favorite subject in school is math because it’s the hardest for him and keeps him challenged. Impressive! Liam recently spoke with us about his experience coding with Tynker coding for kids.
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
We started using free Tynker and then my grandpa said I can get this for you.
How did you learn to use Tynker?
I was just playing around seeing what happens, and I started understanding how to do stuff.
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
A lot. It helped me understand how it worked!
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
Mom told me last week, and I got pretty excited.
What’s your favorite project you’ve made so far?
It’s a spaceship shooting lasers at aliens.
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
I like to see what happens when I program random stuff.
Why do you like to code?
Because it’s entertaining. I like to play video games and that’s fun for me. This is a better game because it’s one that I make myself.
Do you have a favorite code block?
It would be move 10 pixels.
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
I show it to my mom.
What are you planning to make next?
I’m doing a project where it’s like amazing. It’s a dodging game. There’s a ball coming or laser whatever coming that you decide if I have to press D or A so it goes up and down. And if it touches me, I disappear.
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
They’re gonna create a lot of games. It’s a lot more simple, a more advanced platform, and I find it fun.
Do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
It trains my logic.
Do you think other kids should try coding?
First, it’s fun, and it helps you understand more advanced things easier.
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
Just play around with the blocks.
What are some of your hobbies?
I do a lot of sports, mostly rock climbing and skating and a little gymnastics.
Bonus: What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m funny, I’m very creative, and I can make weird faces.
Parent Questions:
Liam’s mother, Jessica, spoke with us about her son learning to code with Tynker:
We started introducing him to coding because nowadays if you learn to code it opens up job opportunities. Basically, I want him to do something that he likes, but at the same time, not just consuming, but also producing, you know, creating things. I think that’s important work.
What benefits do you think coding has for Liam?
He has to learn to cope with frustration but like, okay, you got to control that and find new answers. And that’s a life skill, right? You have to know that sometimes you’re not gonna feel all good, but you need to find an answer and the solution will come.
Do you feel that he’s better prepared for the future?
He’s ten so, to me, that’s like a very young age to learn these things.
How do you support his coding endeavors?
As much as I can because a lot of the time he teaches me.
Thank you!
We want to thank Liam and his mother for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what he creates next – HAPPY CODING!
Check out Tynker and learn more about inspiring the next generation to change the world through code.
