Parents everywhere want their kids prepared for the adult world. Nobody wants to sacrifice the period of a child’s life devoted to innocent fun and creative exploration, but they should emerge into adulthood ready for what awaits.
That’s why so many parents enroll their kids in online coding courses. Learning to program gives kids the tools to not only know how to navigate and operate the digital world but put their own stamp on it by creating video games, websites, and apps.
However, some coding courses online are better than others. Here’s what leading programs offer.
Video Games at the Heart
The best online coding courses revolve around teaching kids to create a video game they can share with friends and family. Learning how to design and program this video game because its own type of game, one that’s engaging and keeps kids hooked on learning.
Ideally, the program embeds gamification concepts into the lessons to make kids as hooked on learning as they are on the game itself. If you’ve ever seen how addicted kids can get to playing video games, you’ll love having them plugged into learning to design them.
Relevant Coding Languages
Online coding courses focus on specific languages, and some are more industry-standard than others. Look for a coding program that teaches in-demand languages that employers want their teams to know.
The best online coding courses teach the most relevant coding languages, such as:
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- C#
- C++
Students leave with the knowledge required to carve their own path and create video games, apps, and websites or get an exciting and well-paying industry job. They’ll have the tools to do what they want, and it’ll be their choice.
Small Classes
Whether in person or online, smaller classroom environments are much more manageable. The more students there are, the harder it is for teachers to focus their attention on each one.
Look for a program that limits class sizes to four so your child never has to compete with their peers to be heard. Some coding courses also have no mandatory minimum, so parents know it’ll run as scheduled even if their child is its only student.
Young Teachers
Finally, the best coding courses tend to hire young teachers from computer science or computer engineering backgrounds for two main reasons.
One, young teachers have recent and relevant experience coding in school and beyond. They’re in touch with current industry and academic trends.
The second reason is that kids should learn how to create video games from teachers who also grew up gaming at home. Teachers will pass on their love of video games to the next generation. Kids can tell when a teacher’s passion is genuine and when they’re forcing it.
Parents are doing the right thing when they look for an online coding course for their kids. Those who don’t know how to code may not be sure of how to differentiate between high- and low-quality coding programs. Keep the above in mind, and your child will have a lot of fun today preparing for adult life.
