[jonkiddy]

I'm currently following the apprentice model you're describing with my own children. Each of my kids are interested in a particular project of their choosing (personal website, mobile game, robotics). All are very simplistic projects but are fun and unique enough that each are excited about their own project and share progress with each other throughout the week. I spend one hour per kid every weekend 1-on-1 reviewing the progress, making suggestions, etc. Its very rewarding.

[dpflan]

That's awesome; thanks for sharing! What ages are your children? Did your children first begin learning programming basics (e.g. perhaps the content of a CS 101 course or high school course; a sufficient knowledge base to make progress and to know when to seek help)? How far along in learning were they before beginning work on a larger project?