Playing with Colored Blocks is a Fun Way for Kids to Learn Programming

Playing with Colored Blocks is a Fun Way for Kids to Learn Programming

by | Nov 20, 2018 | Coding for kids

Coding Robots for kids

Programming is a great skill for children to learn and develop. However, there are so many different programming languages,it's hard to decide which one should be the best to pick. Many experts recommend that kids begin with visual-block-based coding robots for kids. Since they can use a mouse or a finger to “drag and drop” blocks of language on a computer or a tablet screen.

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A visual block-based coding language like Scratch and coding robots for kids are suitable coding platforms for kids.

Traditional coding, such as the Python was difficult for kids to process. Therefore, the MIT Media lab introduced the concept of block-based programming and created the first block programming language: Logo Blocks, in 1996.

Block-based programming means creating online projects using graphical blocks without typing in words with specific formatting to create a program. The idea was to develop an interface to represent the complex programming constructs and commands. So children can get programming fast by simply dragging and dropping puzzle blocks. Using this new method for teaching and learning computer science, the MIT Media Lab developed the first version of Scratch in 2003. This simple concept removed the need to learn the syntax of a formal programming language. Besides, it made teaching and learning the basics of computer science accessible to teachers and children with no formal coding background.

Block-based coding languages and coding robots for kids allow children to discover programming structures and the basics of constructing computer programs more efficiently. A block-based coding language like Scratch is designed specifically to help kids learn how to write a computer program. The language can teach children basic programming concepts with essential elements required in traditional programming and increase their interest of programming.

Coding robots for kids: A visual block-based coding language makes it easy for kids to write their code.

Why do we prefer to start with visual-block-based programming languages like Scratch over the alternatives? Here are the main reasons:

1.Coding robots for kids: Low entry barrier

For kids who are just getting started with programming, a block-based programming language and  coding robots for kids are much more accessible to them. The colored blocks are easy for kids to understand and figure out what the blocks do, even without any block-based programming knowledge. Let’s use mBlock, one of the most kid-friendly block-based programming languages, as an example.

mBlock is a graphical programming software package based on MIT’s visual programming language, Scratch 3.0. Scratch 3.0 guarantees that beginners can start coding within minutes.  Kids can create programs in mBlock by dragging together pre-existing blocks that carry pre-written instructions. For instance, if kids want to control the expression of the robot’s face, they could achieve in mBlock.

2.Coding robots for kids: without Technical knowledge

When kids learn programs with text-based languages, they first need to understand the basic programming concepts. For C++, kids have to know about elements like headers, libraries, functions, and much more. However, kids do not need to know those concepts with a block-based coding language like mBlock. The blocks provide a visual representation of the program that are more understandable than text for young minds. A block’s shape indicates its purpose. The way of assembling blocks shows the flow of the program.

coding robots for kids

Coding robots for kids: mBlock makes learning a programming language fun and effective.

Instead of having children type out all the codes, mBlock contains blocks of code that can be dragged and dropped into the script. Kids can focus on what they need to from the start—logic and creative thinking. mBlock’s colorful and modularized drag-and-drop graphical blocks make it easy for novice users to program Makeblock’s coding robot without worrying about tricky syntax. Moreover, they can see the result of their progress instantly#Coding robots for kids#.

Once your kids have progressed from beginner to intermediate skills in coding, they should learn a “real-life” language. With mBlock, kids can easily switch to the code programming language, Python. With one click, children can write codes and learn an actual practical language on the Python editor. Kids can write in the Python language and view the corresponding Python codes behind the blocks. mBlock brings computer science to life for children, with fun projects, immediate results, and both block and text editors for learners at different levels. mBlock allows kids to use colored blocks to create computer programs and eliminates some of the frustrations associated with typing on a keyboard.

Children react to things that stimulate their senses, and that is why we choose a visual block-based coding language for them. Today, programming for kids follows this trend——Coding robots for kids.

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