Coding Education for Elementary Schoolers: What Are Kids Learning These Days?
My child is in third grade, and after watching videos on YouTube about making games, they say they want to learn coding. As a parent, I think that's great, but I have no idea what to start with or how.
Here's what I've heard from people around me:
- Scratch: The most standard option. Since it's block-based, kids don't feel intimidated.
- Entry: I heard schools use it too, so it's easy to access.
- Minecraft Education: If it matches your child's interests, engagement is top-tier, but it does cost money.
- Python: The prevailing opinion is that it may be a bit difficult for a third grader.
I'm wondering whether I should send them to an academy, and I've heard some places cost over 200,000 won a month. For now, I'm planning to start with free lectures as an interest test. I'd appreciate advice from anyone with experience.
5 answers
For a third grader, starting with Scratch is the most sensible choice. My child also started with Scratch around that age, and now in eighth grade has worked up to Python. You don’t need to send them to a coding academy right away—it’s not too late once they’ve developed an interest. If you spend money from the start, then when the kid gets bored, only the parents feel it was wasted and end up pushing them.