Coding is easy, let’s start from there. Many people think that programming is only for certain kinds of people, and that not everyone can code a game, an app, or software. The first thing we’d like to do is to change your mind through specific examples and assertive explanations: Coding is for everyone and anyone can learn how to code.
In some sort of way, coding is much more than just programming and learning a few of the best programming languages for kids. Coding is a way of thinking, and this means that by learning how to code, you’ll not only be able to turn any idea you might have into an amazing technological reality, but you will also strengthen the most important 21st-century skills: critical thinking, algorithmic thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and even leadership skills.
As you already know, the first thing to do is to breakdown some myths. A few weeks ago, we published an interesting article in which we debunked 4 coding myths, and we made it very clear the fact that coding is not boring or hard. Actually, it is fun, easy, enjoyable and it can give your kids the ultimate abilities they need to succeed in tomorrow’s world and become innovators, doers, and change-makers.
When we say that coding is easy and enjoyable, we are not saying that it is not important or impactful. We are only saying that if taught by the right instructors, and in an encouraging environment that focuses on the individual progress of each student, it can become the light of your kids’ pathway.
In this short article, we are going to show you how your kids can code simple games, and how someone can begin to walk the coding road in a successful way. Who knows? Maybe the next chapter will be seeing yourself, or your kids, in charge of an extraordinary technological solution that will make all of our lives easier. Maybe, if you give your children the right tools, investors will start talking about them instead of Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk.
Are you ready to see how easy it is to code a game? Are you ready to realize that your child can change the world through programming? Here we go…
How to code simple games
The first step is very simple and clear: Have an idea. When you have a few simple game ideas, what’s next is easier and it is only the execution of one, or a few of them. Most people think that the hardest part of coding a simple game is the programming part, but actually, the hardest part is to have an idea that hasn’t been done before, and designing a story that will make players love your game’s characters and universe.
So, the first thing we recommend is doing some in-house activities with your children to boost their creativity, so they can come up with several game ideas. Having that, they’ll instantly have a few simple games to code to choose from.
Now, let’s cut to the chase. Scratch, for example, is a great platform for kids to code simple games. Using a colorful and friendly drag and drop programming platform, it allows kids to program without having to write long lines of code, and without having to learn complex programming languages. It is user-friendly, highly interactive, and an extraordinary pedagogical tool.
But again, if your kids get the knowledge they need to code in an appropriate environment that -as Vygotsky said – sees education as a process of social interaction in which the progress of each individual is being guided by a skillful tutor, everything will be just fine. Tekkie Uni’s instructors, suit this description very well.
How can kids and beginners code a game?
Although we love self-taught people, we do believe that the best way for a kid to code a game, is to receive a guide and an instruction from an expert in both coding and teaching.
There are multiple tools your children can use to learn to code video games and to find simple arcade games to code, but if they are part of a supportive environment that constantly encourages them to become the best they can be and to continually reach higher levels of success, they will definitely have a better outcome.
Again, how can kids code a game? By having an idea and jumping into the pool with no fear and with self-confidence. So now the question is, how can my kids become more self-confident? Throughout the years, we’ve seen that learning in an open space where mistakes are taken as learning experiences, and where instructors pay attention to the individual progress of each participant, kids are more likely to participate, to share their ideas, and therefore, to increase their levels of both self-esteem and self-confidence.
There are infinite things your children can create through coding, and the key is to make them realize they can actually do it. When they start believing in themselves, the platform they decide to use to code their games will be less relevant than their actual desire to do something meaningful of their own.
Simple game ideas for programming
As we’ve said before, the ideas are fundamental. Without ideas, there won’t be any game. In order to avoid your kids’ potential frustration, we highly suggest for them to have simple game ideas, with not too many characters, and with a universe that isn’t that huge.
You can go ahead and let them know that Minecraft, for example, wasn’t built in 24 hours, and that they have to begin their game building adventures from a simpler place. To give you some specific exercises you can do with your kids to think together about a simple game, we suggest you do the following things:
- Define the story of the game.
- Have one character, and describe that character in a deep and comprehensive way.
- Tell the story: what that character has to do and what mission it has to complete.
- How will players interact with the character?
- Let your kids imagine how the story will begin, how it will develop, and how it will end.
After doing this, your kids’ idea will be clearer in their minds, and they will have a less blurry vision of the kind of game they want to create. Therefore, whenever they start using Scratch, or whatever other platforms they or their instructors pick, the creative process will go more smoothly and quickly.
Your kid can do it: Coding is for everyone!
It must be clear now… anyone can code a simple game! If your kids have a great, unique, and simple idea, the only thing left is to start their hands-on learning process to code their very own game while strengthening numerous 21st-century skills they’ll use along their entire lives.
If you want to give your children the opportunity to code their own video games, take a look at the online coding courses offered by Tekkie Uni. Let yourself be surprised by the variety of options available, and be ready to see your kids progressing like they’ve never done before.
Is there anything better than that? Seeing your kids succeeding, creating, turning their ideas into actual games, and on top of all that… becoming extremely self-confident. It doesn’t get better than that. Give them the chance, the time is now.
