Kids Coding Languages: Top 5 For Your Creative Genius

Coding is increasingly becoming a focal point behind popular games and web-based interactions. With the ever-pressing technological advancements, it is becoming apparent that the language of tomorrow lies in being able to code various instructions creatively and interactively. Kids are growing up with the world at their fingertips, making web development accessible to students of all ages.

There is no uncertainty surrounding the benefits programming for children offers when it comes to sparking creativity, honing problem-solving skills, and developing fluency in the modern-day language — even entire virtual coding classes today, dedicate themselves to ingraining young ones with these skills.

As a parent, it is vital to ensure your little genius has access to learning how to code while also having fun and feeling inspired. Just as with any language, coding has many dialects, and encouraging your child to learn while they’re still in school can offer them a new passion or pave a possible career path. With the right tools and resources, picking the best language can be as simple as selecting your favorite game.

Elementary School Level

Scratch (I & II)

Scratch is celebrated for its intuitive user experience, which makes it one of the best programming languages for kids at the elementary level. Its drag and drop feature offers an interactive approach while also engaging children through creative play. Students will learn how to create games and animations throughout the beginner and intermediate course while applying and building upon fundamental STEM concepts, including events, loops, variables, and the coordinate system.

Aside from the introductory aspects young students learn, Scratch challenges kids to design their own games and interact with a community of over 15 million users within the database. Young learners are sure to build a solid coding foundation while also gaining the opportunity to learn from other registered users and test their storytelling skills through game creation.

Javascript (Minecraft)

Not only has Minecraft taken the world by storm, but it has also done a phenomenal job at sneaking in core elements of one of the most popular web languages, Javascript. Java is one of the most familiar languages because most programs on your device run on this coding. If your child loves to play Minecraft, they might even be coding without even realizing it, giving them an advantage when it comes to learning the basics ahead.

Young learners will learn to code, customize, and create usable items. Learning Java through Minecraft provides an interactive drag-and-drop approach allowing easy coding for kids. All aspects are covered, from the introductory levels to more advanced requirements. Once students understand the basics of coding, they will be able to apply these lessons toward creating backdrops and animating sprites, to name a few.

Lua (Roblox)

Lua is the coding language behind Roblox, one of the most popular website platforms that offer various games and interactions. It is also the language behind many IOS and Android game applications such as Angry Birds. Since Roblox is already well-known amongst children and their friends, this course highlights their interests while utilizing it to teach them foundational career skills.

Lua’s lightweight, embeddable scripting language becomes easily digested and integrated through game design. Like Scratch, Lua has a community base where students can interact and learn from other members making online learning another outlet for enhancing teamwork and social skills. Understanding and applying what Lua has to offer can feel native for most young students when approached through Roblox’s wide range of influence. However, Lua’s accessibility is also an excellent selection for children and beginners with zero coding experience.

Middle School Level

Python (Levels I, II, III)

Python is a programming language that provides a quick workflow to integrate systems and create from a limitless space seamlessly. Best suited for the middle school learner, Python offers a range of common skills in Computer Science. This makes it one of the most versatile programming languages for kids that ensures the ability to design games engagingly.

At Code Galaxy, we offer a three-leveled course that instills the core basics of kids coding languages while building upon foundational levels applied in complex systems. Students learn critical, foundational programming at the introductory level, such as functions that can be applied to other programming languages. Students are taught variables, data types, loops, and operators, to name a few.

As the courses continue, your child will learn how to create graphical applications through interactive games like Turtle and Pygame. These modules will help and inspire students to overcome limits and discover animation. The third level course takes the foundations of Python and encourages kids to apply these concepts to create cool and sophisticated graphics-based games within the Pygame library.

High School Level

HTML

Students at the high school level are gearing up for career paths as the demand for coding increases. Young learners are presented with diverse opportunities in successful careers, designing a better world, and creating leading technologies. Learning the fundamentals of HTML and CSS is a must for perfecting kids coding languages. HTML is the standard language for most web pages and can pair well with other modes, including Javascript and CSS. By enrolling in a web development course, students learn how to apply HTML and CSS in corresponding ways to build and customize websites.

Each level in the web development course builds upon the other to create a well-rounded scope of coding, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, HTML5, and the experience of creating webpages, games, and module completion. Having a robust understanding of these principles goes beyond the course and can be transferred to additional courses students might explore as they enter college curricula.

Developing a creative approach toward kids programming languages can be as simple as gameplay but from the inside out. Whether your child is just entering kindergarten or starting out their high school career, it is never too early or late to learn the language they interact with daily. At Code Galaxy, we rely on a diverse approach spanning from group lessons, 1 to 1 mentoring, camps, and free trials to ensure students feel free to explore beyond their limits.