The computer generates a random number between 1 and 100. And you have to guess. When you’re too high, the computer says “too high” and likewise when you’re too low.
It’s a great starter program because it teaches you strings (the output printed), integers, comparisons, conditionals, and iteration (you keep guessing until you get it right). And the whole thing only take around 20 lines (give or take).
Then the kids plays a few games of that.
And after the novelty of that game wears off, I tell them to customise it however they want. Eg different messages, different ranges to guess from, etc.
It’s the same way I teach Python to primary school / kindergarten kids.
The nice things about this is even if the kids don’t learn and remember the basic primitives, they still get a feel of “proper” coding in the same way that we did when we grew up. And they still get something they can play, even if the game itself is super basic (no pun intended).
I’m not saying this will work with every child, though. All kids are different. But it’s been super successful both at home and in the schools I’ve helped out at.
Thanks! This is a good idea. I was thinking about typing games and such because he needs to learn words before doing anything useful, but guessing games are definitely fun, too. I can definitely write simple games using QBASIC (was preparing a Dospian on Rpi 4 as his 6 years old birthday gift).
Do you have any blog, or any recommendation of books to read for such topics? Maybe I can find some "Programming for kids" book back from the 90s. I find teaching kids in general very hard, much harder than teaching myself because kids don't have the cognitive capacity as an adult.
Haha yeah that's a pretty stupid price. You can get it on eBay for $12 but you'd better bid fast because I'm sure it's going to be a very competitive auction. :)
To be honest I just picked moments when the kids were bored and wanted daddy time but weren’t buzzing around the house with excess energy to burn.
It wasn’t something I specifically planned in advance for. Which meant though whole experience was less like homework for them.
As I’m sure you know, sometimes kids just want to experience the stuff their parents do. And when they’re in that kind of mood it’s a lot easier to sit that at a computer than it would be normally.
Thanks. I think I'll prepare that Dospian box, learn QBASIC myself quickly, and let him try it out gradually. At least he should get some typing and arithmetic "game" experience, even when he is too young for any programming.
The computer generates a random number between 1 and 100. And you have to guess. When you’re too high, the computer says “too high” and likewise when you’re too low.
It’s a great starter program because it teaches you strings (the output printed), integers, comparisons, conditionals, and iteration (you keep guessing until you get it right). And the whole thing only take around 20 lines (give or take).
Then the kids plays a few games of that.
And after the novelty of that game wears off, I tell them to customise it however they want. Eg different messages, different ranges to guess from, etc.
It’s the same way I teach Python to primary school / kindergarten kids.
The nice things about this is even if the kids don’t learn and remember the basic primitives, they still get a feel of “proper” coding in the same way that we did when we grew up. And they still get something they can play, even if the game itself is super basic (no pun intended).
I’m not saying this will work with every child, though. All kids are different. But it’s been super successful both at home and in the schools I’ve helped out at.