What is the right age for kids to start learning to code?

Many times parents ask me what is the right age for kids to start learning to code? Here is my article to answer this question!

Note: This article mainly focuses on text-based coding age requirements, not the block coding age requirements (that may differ).

1.Math Skills – We recommend kids to be in 4th grade / 10 years or older. The reason is that even though learning coding does not require much knowledge of math, kids should know math for doing some sample exercises. Coding is all about knowing concepts and being able to apply or implement them in real-time (or to solve real-life problems).

2. English Reading skills – Reading is a very basic knowledge to expect. Here are 2 reasons for that:


a. Kids should be able to understand the instructions for examples and exercises. It makes it easy for instructors and kids to follow along with concepts and progress into deeper concepts. It is our experience if kids are able to understand instructions by themselves it definitely helps them as well as securing fewer typos while coding.

b. Debugging. All editors whether online or installed on the computer, do have the Console, which provides hints to debug the code. It is a mandatory skill to acquire to be able to read error messages and be able to debug their own code.


3. Appropriate Typing Skill – Before joining coding classes, kids should have moderate coding skills, so they can focus on learning coding concepts rather than using all the time focused on searching for the right keys to deal with. This creates anxiety in students and they tend to give up. This is one positive change I am noticing during online schooling; kids are getting more comfortable in typing and Computer skills.


4. Knowledge of Basic Computer Skill – It is very helpful in class when kids already know some basic computer skills – like navigation through file explorer, copy/pasting, downloading and uploading files, opening multiple tabs, using zoom or hangout appropriately, and some hotkey combinations.
As every child is different, our suggestion for the minimum age and grade is based on our experience. One more thing parents might understand – learning to code is not a short term skill, it is a long term process where you are preparing kids for logical and analytical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and much more.


At Progressive Kids, we follow real-time coding instructions, where kids write their own code from day one. Instructors explain the concepts and exercises in the way kids are working. If they have any doubt need more explanation we help them.

Author – Jyoti Gupta
Program Director at Progressive Kids

How to choose the right coding program for your child? 

Many times I get questions from parents, What is the difference between visual block platforms & text-based coding?

There are a lot of coding platforms out there that claim to be teaching your kid “real coding languages”. In this article, my focus is to talk about these different coding platforms (teaching methods) and what are according to me pros and cons of these programs. So as a parent you can make the right decision for your child.


Visual Block Platform programming/coding


As the name suggests, kids use visuals to develop programs, they do not write the actual text for code. These drag and drop, visual block programming courses can be a good start for kids in 2nd grade and up. They are designed to be fun and easy but are also designed to be tools that you outgrow. They are more like puzzle solving for coding or more like Montessori style teaching for coding. This method of coding has its own limitations like kids do not get the actual feel of programming. so they do not set the right perception.


Platforms like Code.org, Scratch, Tynker, and others believe that typing should not become an impediment in computer science education. They feel that kids can learn many of the same coding concepts through a more visual, tactile approach. We think that these platforms can be very helpful for younger learners, but that they should serve as a bridge to text-based coding.


Modified(customized) Texted based Coding with UI(Visual) output

These platforms do have their own text-based coding console but their codes are simplified by using already built APIs. Even though kids get the opportunity to type their own code and get to learn most coding concepts, and output is visually pleasing, these programs will work only on specific platforms and need to be changed to run in a real-time coding console for example many customized coding console’s python programs will not run on python IDLE and PyCharm on your own laptop. 


If your child is learning python, do ask the instructor can this code work on my computer if I install python software. If the answer is no or if a minor change is required, you need to be aware of it. Learning coding language should be universally applied to all platforms. Kids should not feel restricted to one platform.


Online Text-based Coding (with lesson plans free and paid)


There are online programs that use real programming languages and professional-grade coding tools. The courses are taught in such a way that students as young as age 8 can follow along and have a fun time learning.


The advantage of this approach is that students gain knowledge-creating real software and they can go at their own pace.


I truly believe this opens up many opportunities for them in their future. The only drawback I see, these programs are self-driven and kids do not get instant help debugging the code if they have errors in code. These programs can be the best fit if kids have help at home and they are very motivated to learn.


Text-Based coding (Instructor-led classes)

At progressive Kids, we focus on professional coding languages like Python, Java, JavaScript, and many more used by professionals in real-time tech development. We use both online editors like repl.it or installed editors like PyCharm or Eclipse. 


The Benefit of joining our program is no transition required (like block coding to text-based coding). Kids get prepared for future tech needs right away. They learn the concepts and are ready to apply them in real-time.


All our programs are developed keeping kids in thought. They are broken down into well-categorized lesson plans with fun projects to work on.

What coding languages should my kids learn?

At Progressive Kids we are usually asked this question. Considering the fact there are hundreds of technologies available out there, it can be daunting for parents to decide. Here is brief of some areas of coding to focus on:

  1. Core Programming Languages (Data Science, Analytics, AI, web application, Robotics)

All these languages are capable of doing data science, AI, data Analytics, in house application, online applications, games and robotics and much more. Python can be a good start to understand coding as it has syntax and more readability.

For kids we focus on teaching the basics of console coding and GUI game coding to keep it interactive and informative at same time. Recommended grades: 4th and up

  1. Web Design Coding Languages

Although web application is possible with above languages as well, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP are the fundamental languages to create websites supported by all browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, internet explorer etc. Web Design: HTML, CSS can be good starting points for kids who like more visual output rather than getting in logical coding. Recommended grades: 5th and up

  1. Electronics and Robotics Coding

By learning how to build circuits and code, kids can add a new level of interactivity to their projects. Learn the Arduino and Raspberry platform and programming language to create robots, electronic toys, home automation tools, and much more. These courses are an excellent learning journey for the kids to understand the building block of Integrated circuits using breadboards, transistors, resistors, capacitors, LED, motor controls, etc. Recommended grades: 5th and up

  1. Game Coding Specific Programs

These are the platforms to develop games online. Unity uses version of c# as a backend coding. It is an excellent game coding program for kids who prefer to write logical code as well as visually appealing games. Currently we offer Unity 2D Game design and Unity 3D Game Design course. Recommended grades: 6th and up

  1. Mobile Apps

Considering the new mobile world, Android and iOS App Development program is based on advanced tools and technologies required for app development for iOS and Android devices. During the course, Kids will learn the basics of building a mobile app for Android and iOS environments. The course follows our innovative techniques to teach complicated concepts in an easy way. Therefore, it focuses on creating layouts, adding buttons, creating multiple pages, hands-on interactive apps. Towards the end, of course, kids will work on an app-designing project using animation and game techniques. Recommended grades: 6th and up