How to Teach Kids the Fundamentals of Coding: Start Screen-Free

In the not too distant future, coding will probably be taught at schools as commonly as languages like Spanish and French are presently taught. But we are not quite there yet. Thankfully, there are lots of fun and educational tools that are specifically designed to teach kids about coding fundamentals, and not all of them involve looking at a screen. If you want to teach kids about the basics of coding screen-free, here are some great ideas.

Once You’re Ready to Try Coding On-screen

The fundamentals of coding can be taught to kids without having to use on-screen resources like videos and online games, as you will see. But off-screen learning is all about preparing children to be better prepared for on-screen coding later on, so there will be a time when kids are ready to try coding for real. Once they are ready to try on-screen coding, they can access various fun and educational online games that teach the basics of programming. Some of the best coding games for kids can be found at CodeMonkey. After navigating their way through the educational games on offer, kids will have a sense of confidence and accomplishment, while also learning valuable skills for the future. But first things first. Here are some of the ways you can teach kids coding fundamentals screen-free. 

Create a Top-secret Code

Even before computer programming became commonplace in the world, kids loved coming up with secret codes. So, you can use the activity of making secret codes to help children learn the basics of computer coding principles. Get the kids to come up with a replacement symbol, drawing, number, or letter for each letter in the alphabet; or use an established code like Morse Code. Once the kids have come up with a system, have them write a note to someone using their new secret code. This game is a great way to get children thinking in terms of how code operates.

Use STEM Toys

There are lots of STEM toys on the market that help children learn coding basics from an early age. One of the best is the Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set. Kids try to navigate a robotic mouse through a maze using coding commands. Such games are great fun, and the more entertaining an activity is, the more kids will engage and learn. Even the youngest of kids can learn the fundamentals of how code works via using STEM coding toys.

Create a Coding Board Game

While there are plenty of coding toys on the market, you should also think about creating your own coding games to play with children. One idea is to make a board game in which kids create a sequence, which acts in the same way as an algorithm, to navigate one counter to a designated place on a board. The players write down their “algorithm” via using a series of up and down arrows to navigate the counter from the top corner to the winning destination. You can change the exact rules to your own liking, as long as the game still teaches children how to use a system’s instructions to complete a task. A Connect 4 board game can be used, or you can make your own board and counters.

Buy a Coding Board Game

If you do not have the time to create your own board game, you can always purchase a readymade game that teaches kids the fundamentals of coding. There are several coding board games on the market. One of the best is Code Master, which is suitable for children aged eight years and up. The board game contains different challenges that get increasingly difficult.