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Ask Slashdot: How To Introduce a 7-Year-Old To Programming?

Posted by timothy on from the first-you-must-erase-his-mind dept.

THE_WELL_HUNG_OYSTER writes I'm a professional programmer and have been programming since I was a small boy. I want to introduce this to my 7-year-son but know nothing about teaching this to children. Since he enjoys Roblox and Minecraft very much, and knows how to use computers already, I suspect teaching him to write his own small games would be a good starting point. I'm aware of lists like this one, but it's quite overwhelming. There are so many choices that I am overwhelmed where to start. Anyone in the Slashdot in the community have recent hands-on experience with such tools/systems that he/she would recommend?

2 of 315 comments (clear)

  1. Learning programming through motivation. by JWSmythe · · Score: 4, Funny

    Give the kid a computer, and programming book.
    Install an electronic lock on the door with an interface to the computer.

    Give them simple instructions.

    Write a program to unlock the door.

    If you get out, you can eat again.

    If you can't, you will die in this room.

    A person typically dies without water in 7 days, and without food in 14 days.

    Good luck.

    --
    Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
    1. Re:Learning programming through motivation. by Krishnoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's a bit draconian. Try this instead:

      • Write a program to unlock this box.
      • If you can unlock it, you can get your smartphone out of it.
      • You can't use your smartphone until you get it out of there.
      • A person typically goes insane without smartphone use in 7 hours, and comatose in 14 hours. Shorter for teenagers.
      • Good luck.