Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 6th grader Raditya from Jakarta, Indonesia! He thinks coding is fun and likes that it has math in it. He also likes basketball and swimming! Raditya recently talked with us about his experience coding with Tynker and being a Tynker Code Jam winner!
How did you get introduced to Tynker?
I really wanted to learn Python and my dad found Tynker, so I actually started Python before block coding.
How did you learn to use Tynker when you were first starting out? What are your favorite Tynker courses or tutorials?
It was pretty easy because of Python 1 which is just the basics. I learned the AR course and the MInecraft modding course.
Have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
I think it changed a lot because now I’m always looking to do even harder coding.
What’s the favorite project you’ve made so far?
I think the AR project because it got a lot of likes and views on my profile.
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
The Tynker community.
Why do you like to code?
I like to make games and sometimes animations. I mostly use the Tynker blocks because it’s actually fun. It’s easier. The On Start block is the most important block because you can’t code without it.
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it?
I sometimes show it to my mom or dad first, and when it’s really good, I share it to the community.
What are you planning to make next?
I think I’m planning to make 3D projects because I’ve never made one.
Do you have an idea of what you want to be when you grow up?
I want to work at Google or Minecraft. I really want to work as a coder. I’ve had that idea for about a month.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
I really like math because it’s fun and you can count things. You can solve problems and stuff like that.
What do you like most about Tynker?
The best thing is that there’s Minecraft modding block coding. When I found out that Tynker could also make a resource pack, that was really fun. There’s also many different types of coding languages in Tynker.
How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
For me, I think it’s important because if you want to make cell phones and stuff like that you need coding to make it work.
Do you think other kids should try coding?
Yeah because you could actually make a calculator in coding. It will probably help with math. They can create their own games and animations.
How did it feel to be a Tynker Code Jam winner?
I was happy that I could win because there were many entries and so many people so I thought I would actually lose. When the live stream came on I watched it and it turned out that I won! I watched it with my sister and my mom.
What are you going to do with your prize?
My dad traded it for cash, so now I have bank money.
Will you keep coding?
Well, after I won, I still want to learn more coding because it’s actually fun. I like the math and the making games part, and figuring out how to make stuff, making 3D.
Raditya’s parents spoke to us about their son coding?
Mom:
I love to see how he has developed a lot since the Code Jam. He really is into coding so much and we are really excited to see how much he has grown.
Dad:
Tynker has this very interesting and really good interface which engages Raditya on his projects. And then on top of that, Tynker has this Code Jam which adds more color to his coding journey with Tynker. It has stimulated his curiosity a lot which spills over to things other than coding.
How do you support your child in their coding endeavors?
Mom:
My husband tried to find a course for Python and found Tynker. We fully support him in every way. It’s one of his favorite things to do.
Dad:
We do see how the method you use really jives with him and motivates him and we would like to continue that going forward. He’s happy so far, very excited and really curious. So we fully support him on this.
Thank you!
We want to thank Raditya and his parents for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We’re looking forward to more projects from Raditya – HAPPY CODING!
