Programming for Children [modified]
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pnhnt wrote:
My 9-year-old has expressed an interest in computer programming. I am currently taking a college level course in C#, which probably would not be suitable for him. I would like to get some suggestion on where to get him started.
You might want to take a look at our Plain English development system, designed specifically with "the programmers of tomorrow" in mind. There's a sample program you can download at www.osmosian.com, and you can write us for further information: help@osmosian.com.
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
At 9 years old, I think that is too young to start learning programming.
Nonsense! http://www.papert.org/[^]
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Osmobi-Wan, why did you change your name? Did you think "The Grand Negut" looked better in grey than "Osmobi-Wan"? It doesn't. However currently Score: 1:0(3 votes) induces a Kyle chuckle.
led mike
led mike wrote:
Osmobi-Wan, why did you change your name?
Y'know, I like "Osmobi-Wan"; wish I'd thought of it. But my official title has been Grand Negus since we formed the Order, and I've got the hair in my ears to justify it. The change occurred when we removed ourselves from these forums, ran a few experiments under other names, and then returned.
led mike wrote:
However currently Score: 1:0(3 votes) induces a Kyle chuckle.
Yeah, I get the reference. But 3 out of 3,603,949! What are we to do? Surely, the people have spoken! Here's a thread with (I think) the most votes we've ever generated on this site - 24 out of 3,603,949 [^]. And almost all of them got the answer wrong! Shog's thread (just above the one sited) got 25 votes, from apparently brighter (or less biased) people. But still a tiny minority...
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Hello All, My 9-year-old has expressed an interest in computer programming. I am currently taking a college level course in C#, which probably would not be suitable for him. I would like to get some suggestion on where to get him started. Thank you, R/ Howard -- moved at 16:33 Wednesday 6th December, 2006
LOGO and nothing else, or maybe the new lego thingy.
Maximilien Lincourt Your Head A Splode - Strong Bad
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led mike wrote:
Osmobi-Wan, why did you change your name?
Y'know, I like "Osmobi-Wan"; wish I'd thought of it. But my official title has been Grand Negus since we formed the Order, and I've got the hair in my ears to justify it. The change occurred when we removed ourselves from these forums, ran a few experiments under other names, and then returned.
led mike wrote:
However currently Score: 1:0(3 votes) induces a Kyle chuckle.
Yeah, I get the reference. But 3 out of 3,603,949! What are we to do? Surely, the people have spoken! Here's a thread with (I think) the most votes we've ever generated on this site - 24 out of 3,603,949 [^]. And almost all of them got the answer wrong! Shog's thread (just above the one sited) got 25 votes, from apparently brighter (or less biased) people. But still a tiny minority...
The Grand Negus wrote:
most votes we've ever generated on this site
:| I've seen people a while back do a trick to get over 200 votes that were all 5's :suss:
I'd like to help but I don't feel like Googling it for you.
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LOGO and nothing else, or maybe the new lego thingy.
Maximilien Lincourt Your Head A Splode - Strong Bad
Yeah LOGO was the first language I learned. Simple environment and good visual feedback. VB.Net would probably be a bit overwhelming. My nephews are around that age and they played around with Flash a fair bit. I think this could be a good start.
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I disagree, I was doing BASIC programming at age 9. It's never too early to try new things and discover what you're good or bad at. I thought I was going to be an architect until I discovered that I can't draw.
--Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ
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I disagree, I was doing BASIC programming at age 9. It's never too early to try new things and discover what you're good or bad at. I thought I was going to be an architect until I discovered that I can't draw.
--Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ
A child aged 9 should be having fun with his/her friends playing whatever games etc that is suitable for that age group. And yes that can include some PlayStation games. There is plenty of time for a child to develop an interest in the finer workings of computing insofar that children are not expected to have any kind of computing knowledge until they reach the latter years of primary education and even then the kind of knowledge should be restricted to how to use a web browser for very basic research and the low-end basics of how to use a word processor, but not much else until they start High School education.
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A child aged 9 should be having fun with his/her friends playing whatever games etc that is suitable for that age group. And yes that can include some PlayStation games. There is plenty of time for a child to develop an interest in the finer workings of computing insofar that children are not expected to have any kind of computing knowledge until they reach the latter years of primary education and even then the kind of knowledge should be restricted to how to use a web browser for very basic research and the low-end basics of how to use a word processor, but not much else until they start High School education.
Why shouldn't a child want to learn how computer programs work? I was 8 when I got interested in that sort of thing. I wrote programs in BASIC and assembler (although I have to admit the assembler programs were very simple and only did things like drive the audio to produce a siren sound rather than the simple beeps the supplied BASIC language would permit)
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * We are starting a series of events in Glasgow in 2007. Are you interested in a particular subject, or as a speaker? * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog | Photos
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John, Since this si the Suggestions Dicussion board, I would think this is would be an approriate forum for such questions. However, Where would you suggest I ask the question. Thank you, R/ Howard
pnhnt wrote:
Since this si the Suggestions Dicussion board
Am I missing something? I see this in the general discussions forum, not the suggestions forum.:confused:
only two letters away from being an asset
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pnhnt wrote:
Since this si the Suggestions Dicussion board
Am I missing something? I see this in the general discussions forum, not the suggestions forum.:confused:
only two letters away from being an asset
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:cool:
only two letters away from being an asset
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
The Lounge is probably the best place.
But wouldn't someone get on the OP's case for a "programming question"?
You will see a delete button on each of your posts. Press it. - Colin Angus Mackay
It's not a programming question.
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
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"...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001 -
Why shouldn't a child want to learn how computer programs work? I was 8 when I got interested in that sort of thing. I wrote programs in BASIC and assembler (although I have to admit the assembler programs were very simple and only did things like drive the audio to produce a siren sound rather than the simple beeps the supplied BASIC language would permit)
Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * We are starting a series of events in Glasgow in 2007. Are you interested in a particular subject, or as a speaker? * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog | Photos
Colin, don't get me wrong, I am all in favour of all our children learning the art of programming but not until such time that they are ready, willing and able. But if, from a child's perspective, they see their parents using the computer for programming then the child is likely to show an interest which dependant upon the age of the child could be either a good thing or an unhealthy thing. This argument is equally true if say a parent was a graphics artist, the child being inquisitive, will show similar interest in that rather than programming. Above I said "ready, willing and able", I qualify that by saying that in terms of a child's development, they all develop at different at rates, but broadly, statistics can show when a child is most likely to be receptive of a particular subject, consequently the UK National Curriculum addresses that. This is also a reason why calculus is not taught to a child at an earlier age, although there are exceptions such as where a child might be particularly gifted in mathematics. But I am still of the opinion that a 9 year old child should be playing with his/her friends and/or brothers/sisters rather than sitting in front of a computer monitor, which does nothing to address the problem of childhood obesity and childhood health and fitness. Richard.
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Colin, don't get me wrong, I am all in favour of all our children learning the art of programming but not until such time that they are ready, willing and able. But if, from a child's perspective, they see their parents using the computer for programming then the child is likely to show an interest which dependant upon the age of the child could be either a good thing or an unhealthy thing. This argument is equally true if say a parent was a graphics artist, the child being inquisitive, will show similar interest in that rather than programming. Above I said "ready, willing and able", I qualify that by saying that in terms of a child's development, they all develop at different at rates, but broadly, statistics can show when a child is most likely to be receptive of a particular subject, consequently the UK National Curriculum addresses that. This is also a reason why calculus is not taught to a child at an earlier age, although there are exceptions such as where a child might be particularly gifted in mathematics. But I am still of the opinion that a 9 year old child should be playing with his/her friends and/or brothers/sisters rather than sitting in front of a computer monitor, which does nothing to address the problem of childhood obesity and childhood health and fitness. Richard.
Richard A. Abbott wrote:
I am still of the opinion that a 9 year old child should be playing with his/her friends
I did when I was 9 and learning to program then, too. So learning to program at the age of 9 may not necessarily hurt a kid's social skills.
If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
I am still of the opinion that a 9 year old child should be playing with his/her friends
I did when I was 9 and learning to program then, too. So learning to program at the age of 9 may not necessarily hurt a kid's social skills.
If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa
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It's not a programming question.
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
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"...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
It's not a programming question.
I know, but it is almost certainly given that somebody would start spouting off about it in the Lounge.
If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa
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Richard A. Abbott wrote:
I do accept your views.
Same here. I knew kids who couldn't be pulled away from computers and programming when I was 9, and the odd thing is, most of them did not go for jobs in IT :suss:
If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa
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I started playing around with a primitive version of BASIC when I was 8. I taught myself TMS9900 Assembler at 12, Intel x86 Assembler at 15, COBOL, FORTRAN, and C at 16. What do you think is an appropriate age?
Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP - Visual Basic
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Hello All, My 9-year-old has expressed an interest in computer programming. I am currently taking a college level course in C#, which probably would not be suitable for him. I would like to get some suggestion on where to get him started. Thank you, R/ Howard -- moved at 16:33 Wednesday 6th December, 2006
If you'r looking for a simple language to get your kid started on then I would recommend (although it is my opinion), Python [^]. While most developers I know don't know python it is quite a useful language for teaching. It was originally developed to be an educational language (although is has grown far bigger these days). The nice thing about Python is that it comes with an interpreter as well. So your kid can type a command and see instantly what it does. E.g.:
>>> a = 25 >>> b = 45 >>> print(a+b) 70 >>>Python has often been described as a minimalistic programming language because it's core is very basic.The best times in life are the ones that you can't remember!!!
