Unlike previous times, coding is now one of the most useful skills a person can have. Previously, only scientists or programmers used coding but now, as the world progresses, it has become a necessity. Whatever career path a person chooses, coding comes side by side.
Millennial children who are surrounded by technology and use it to make everything quicker are aware of the efforts that go behind the scenes. Coding is something that every parent wants their kid to learn as this field is growing at a very rapid rate.
A good start to anything is especially important as it forms the path ahead. Figuring out the programming language to learn at first is quite challenging and confusing. some languages are quite easy to learn but do not offer much growth whereas some are very technical but once learned, prove to be a jackpot for kids.
The good news is there is one specific programming language that is beginner-friendly as well as widely used in the world, it is called Python. With these two features, learning Python for kids will never be an impossible task.
Table of contents
What Is Python?
According to the official website, Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics.
As everyone asks, is it too complicated to understand? And the answer is no. Python is one of the languages that are easy to learn. It can be used to write all sorts of codes, build games, websites, and software, automate tasks and conduct data analysis.
Along with being simple to learn, its versatility offers users the chance to create a variety of programs in various domains. No wonder this has made Python one of the most-used programming languages nowadays.
Python Programming Fun Fact
The word ‘python’ creates a typical atmosphere when first heard by those who are unaware of programming languages. The figure of exotic reptile flashes in our minds.
People were curious to as why such names were chosen. And they always asked ‘why is this high-level programming language named after a reptile?’ The answer is, that Guido van Rossum did not name it after an animal but BBC’s surreal sketch comedy series titled Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
While he was developing the language, he was also reading the scripts from the show. The word Python intrigues him, as it is a short word and according to him it is slightly mysterious.
The Benefits of Learning Python for Kids
This scripting programming language has lots of hidden treasures in it and it opens a door full of amazing opportunities for kids. This language is uncomplicated to learn. Along with that, there are some benefits of learning Python for kids. Let us look at those benefits below:
- Python is Simple and Easy for Beginners
Children with no prior programming knowledge can rely on python to enter the coding world. Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn in comparison to other programming languages. This is because its syntax is the most straightforward and easily readable. So, it is no wonder that Python is regarded as a language suitable for beginners as well as others.
Another feature that makes python suitable for kids is, that this language does not use a perplexing combination of symbols and abbreviations.
- Learning Python will Improve Their Academic Performance
Along with learning a world-class programming language that will help kids to stay a step ahead, the hidden pros of learning Python are countless. Learning Python is a complete process that assures growth. It helps in increasing focus and concentration. It also teaches kids to break down problems into smaller parts and address each of them one by one. Those logical and critical thinking skills as well as creative abilities and abstract ideas might be utilized in other academic disciplines such as Mathematics.
Children can also acquire problem-solving abilities when learning Python. This ability will not only help the children in the technical field but also in many other aspects of life.
- Python Enhancing Creativity
Something new always pops out from a programmer’s device. Learning programming makes a child so creative and enhances problem-solving abilities and creativity. Each application requires a different combination of codes. Creating these combinations each time is a good workout for the brain.
Therefore, when children master the Python programming language from an early age, they can explore their creativity through small coding projects. When one project is completed successfully, children feel an urge to complete more projects. They can jump onto the next one and use the skills which were used for the first project along with learning new at the same time.
- Python Can Help in Their Future Career
As some believe that children should enjoy their childhood with no pressure but at the same time guiding them in the right direction is also important as these years also act as a foundation for them. Due to this, Python is a perfect thing for your kid. Learning can be both, productive and exciting. Along with these, they also offer a lot more! Imagine their sense of accomplishment once they finish their game project with Python and can play it.
Children who have embraced the Python programming language from an early age will be better prepared for a lot of career options in the future. This is because Python is used in many fields and is expected to continue to do so.
- Children will not Outgrow Python
Usually, beginners learn to program from a block-based language that is purely graphical. One of the block-based coding platforms is Scratch. With its colorful blocks, Scratch is good for children in elementary school. However, it is easy for kids to outgrow them.
Scientists and engineers still use Python to write complicated applications and develop programs due to its versatility. Python is not only used to develop games, software, or websites, it is also used to work with large data sets as well as build neural networks and other forms of artificial intelligence.
So, your kids will never outgrow Python.
The Best Way to Learn Python for Kids
It is not new to hear but children often get bored very easily. So, it is important to maintain their motivation by keeping the learning process exciting until they become proficient. Below are some of the best ways for them to learn Python:
- Gamification Encourages Kids to Learn Python.
As educators around the world are trying to induce interesting ways into the learning process to make it more fun and effective. Gamification is one such popular method that is used by a lot of teachers around the world in either online or live classrooms. Adding elements like point scoring, competition, rules of play, and of course, the reward are great ideas for holding children’s attention during the programming in Python lesson.
So, it is important to choose a course that is interesting and fun so that children will not get bored with it.
- Project-Based Learning to Get Them Engaged in Python
Remarkable things start with small efforts. the big tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs Started by building small applications at an early age. They became interested in coding after creating small but enjoyable personal projects, they have gradually but steadily progressed along with their dream to their current position.
Similarly, Python can be learned by developing small projects. Even though it is always started from the basics, children can build impressive programs in a matter of weeks because they learn faster than adults.
- Practice is a Must
Mastering anything requires practice. Be it with Python, riding a bicycle, or any other skills, without consistent practice, one can never achieve the top goal. When children use their Python skills to build projects regularly, they will surely retain their knowledge.
With each project, older skills will become sharp and new skills will be added to your bank of knowledge. But if they skip practice, they will forget most of what they have learned. So, yes, practice is a key and patience is a virtue.
Essential Python Concepts
As discussed above, with the features and offers this programming language has, it is an excellent choice for our kids to start learning how to code. Below are 5 core concepts that they can learn to build a solid foundation in Python:
Data Types
According to Geeks for Geeks, data types are the classification or categorization of data items. It represents the kind of value that tells what operations can be performed on a particular data.
In Python, there are 5 standard data types:
- String
A sequence of characters, including punctuation, numbers, and letters is stung. In simpler words, it is just a text.
Example: “BrightChamps”
- Numeric
Any data which has some numeric value in it is called Numeric. The basic numeric data is differentiated into 2 data types: Integer and Float.
1. Integer
A number with no decimal place.
Example: 15
2. Float
A number with a decimal place.
Example: 15.7
- List
When all the items (elements) of different data types (integer, float, string, etc.) are placed inside a square bracket ‘[ ]’ and separated by commas, it forms a list.
Example: [17, 25.9, “apple”, “banana”, “cherry”]
- Tuple
Tuples are a read-only list that is enclosed in parentheses ( ) and cannot be updated.
Example: (17, 25.9, “apple”, “banana”, “cherry”)
- Dictionary
Dictionaries are Python’s implementation of a data structure that is more generally known as an associative array. It is enclosed by curly braces {}. A dictionary consists of a collection of key-value pairs. Each key-value pair maps the key to its associated value.
Example:
{“fruit”: “apple”, “price”: 2.5}
Please note: You can use the type () method to see the data type of an object.
Variables
Variables are containers that can store a value of any data type be it string, integer, or float. But please note that 1 variable can only store 1 data type. You can imagine a variable as a jar with a label that you use to store a jam in your daily life.
Variable is quite powerful since it can be used repeatedly and the value can be updated. You can create variables with any names that you like, but make sure to follow the rules below.
Rules for Naming Variables
- A variable name must start with a letter (a-z, A-Z) or an underscore character (_). (e.g., Score, score, AGE, _age, x, y, etc.)
- A variable name cannot start with a number. (e.g., 1_score is invalid)
- A variable name (other than the first character) can only contain alpha-numeric characters and underscores (a-z, A-Z, 0-9, and _). (e.g., student_name_1)
- Variable names are case-sensitive (age, Age, and AGE are three different variables)
- A variable name cannot contain spaces
Functions
Functions are responsible for performing specific tasks when it is called. A function is a group of related codes. You can pass data, known as parameters, into a function and the function will return the data as a result. Functions make the work easier as they help the users to break the programming projects into smaller parts. In this case, the users work on one application at a single time.
Loops
Loop is a repetition of codes. It is a block of codes that runs repeatedly until the desired output is obtained. In Python, there are 2 types of loops: for loops and while loops.
- for loops
A for loop is used for iterating over a sequence (that is either a list, a tuple, a dictionary, a set, or a string).
With the for loop, we can execute a set of statements, once for each item in a list, tuple, set, etc.
- while loops
A while loop is used to execute a set of statements if a condition is true.
Modules
The Module is a file that stores all sets of functions you want to include in your application. In simpler words, it can be considered the same as a code library. You can either write your modules or use the built-in one in Python. If you want to create a module on your own, just save the code you want in a file with the file extension ‘.py.’
But let us say you want to calculate factorial in math formula, you can simply import math module and call the factorial () function.
Top Websites & Resources to Learn Python Coding for Kids
To help your children to get familiar with Python, Trinket is a good option. It is one of the best options to clear the Python basics. for your kids, you can try Trinket’s Hour of Python. It is a series of tutorials, challenges, and exercises in Python for kids.
A lot of the challenges in this platform are quite like real-world problems that are solved by professional programmers.
Created by Michele Pratusevich, Practice Python contains a lot of Python practice exercises with sample codes. So, children can refer to those samples for their projects.
The challenges consist of some programming tasks and/or writing codes for simple games.
What is a more exciting way to learn something new than through playing games? In CodeCombat, kids will be able to learn Python while playing games. As the game starts, players will start programming. This game does not require any prior programming knowledge or experience.
While playing this, kids will learn codes to move the character around the screen which will help them to complete the challenge. The graphics are also video games.
CheckiO is yet another gamified Python learning program. This gives children a lot of missions to complete. These missions are completed by writing codes. Children can look at the examples before attempting to complete “missions” with their code.
Despite being more text-based than graphic, each mission can be quite fun for children to solve them.
According to Wikipedia, Pygame is a cross-platform set of Python modules designed for writing video games. Along with writing codes, Pygame includes computer graphics and sound libraries designed.
Scary Spot the Difference is an online project that introduces learners to PyGame. All the step-by-step instructions and the codes to create this game are easy to follow for children.
The in-browser system PixelPad.io is another system that can help your kids in learning Python. This browser allows children to create their games. In this learning platform, children will be able to learn how to use loops, objects, sprites, animations, functions, and multiplayer assets to manipulate a gamified output in real-time.
The interface itself is divided into 2 parts: text-based codes on the left side and the graphic output on the right side. This interface will intrigue children and excite them more to learn to code since they will be able to see the result side by side with the codes. The feature makes PixelPad unique.
Conclusion
In the current technology era, coding is an essential skill to learn. Not only does it help children to build problem-solving abilities, but also secures their future. Python is one of the high-level programming languages that are quite easy for beginners.
There are numerous resources available on the internet to help you learn to code, but having a facilitator to guide them through their journey in learning Python will be very beneficial. BrightChamps can assist and guide your children through their initial steps in learning Python for kids.
Want Some More?
Apart from Python, other programming languages are also available. It is not as difficult for children to learn other programming languages as BrightChamps, which uses creative ways of making kids understand the concepts and makes the whole learning process smooth.
With its specially designed curriculum for students in Grades 1-12, BrightChamps opens opportunities for your children to develop their IT skills to prepare for their future.
