The primary problem for many people (including kids) is motivation. Struggling, especially in the beginning, can be demotivating. It can even make people feel l

The primary problem for many people (including kids) is motivation. Struggling, especially in the beginning, can be demotivating. It can even make people feel like they must be a failure or that the material "isn't for me". Introducing basic programming visually then slowly transitioning into text should allow more learners to get over that hump and imagine themselves doing fun & interesting things. (Some kids will jump directly to more difficult tasks and eschew non-text immediately). I don't think we have nearly enough evidence to say whether any of these kids will be "great. Not to be rude but your anecdotes aren't data either.