Yes experience is important. I'd say "software development experience = spending time hitting walls". So find an interesting wall, and let him spend time on hi

Yes experience is important. I'd say "software development experience = spending time hitting walls". So find an interesting wall, and let him spend time on hit. For me the interesting things where thrill to see the computer do things, but for others that may be a paycheck. Do not make cheat time by arranging or buying stuff, except for maybe a laptop. The time consuming obstacles motivated me a lot, i spent more time and effort in learning than i would have otherwise. I went through several programming books that way, just to satisfy my curiosity. Not deliver to some boss. Later, ofcourse i descided to work for a boss, but by then i discovered what exactly i really found interesting.