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I tried scratch with my 10yr old and he didn't like it. He felt it didn't look like real programming (or his idea of "real programming" from Netflix). I then t
by danielrpa 6y ago
I tried scratch with my 10yr old and he didn't like it. He felt it didn't look like real programming (or his idea of "real programming" from Netflix).
I then tried using Usborne basic books from the 80s, running on a BBC Micro emulator. I know, sounds like an odd next step... But boy, it DID work - he has been very interested in consuming computer knowledge for 2 months now.
The old Usborne books are amazing. 20 minutes of typing and you have a new simple game. I'd ask him to make changes (faster, easier, more lives etc) to the game and he learned a ton.
I held his hand in the beginning, also teaching him the problems with GOTO and some of the old school Basic choices, but he eventually became quite independent.
Now he wants to switch to Python after learning about its power so we'll do it next. But he has a much better understanding of basic constructs like loops, subroutines, variables etc.
Usborne books (bottom of the page): https://usborne.com/browse-books/features/computer-and-coding-books/ https://usborne.com/browse-books/features/computer-and-codin...
- papa 6y agoI've had a great experience making use of the Unity 3D free premium learning courses (free until June during the pandemic) with my youngest child. Like your child, mine didn't care for Scratch. He's loving Unity though. Actually, who am I kidding, I'm enjoying immensely too. We've laughed our heads off together tweaking and adding small features to the rudimentary games that their basic course guides you through. This is the basic course if you're interested: https://learn.unity.com/course/create-with-code-live https://learn.unity.com/course/create-with-code-live The Usborne books you linked to sound interesting too. I'll be sure to check those out.