Programming is one of the key skills that needs to be taught to a child from elementary school. Computer code― the same foreign language, only it allows you to talk to a computer, assign tasks to it and control their implementation. And knowledge of this language today is as necessary as knowledge of English and mathematics.

This tutorial will introduce your child to the basics of programming and teach the two most common languages ​​- visual Scratch and text-based Python. In the book you will find:

• Descriptions of the capabilities of program languages.
• Simple instructions for creating games and animations.
• Numerous tips and tricks from programmers.
• Useful information about your computer.

Book feature

Many talented programmers began their journey in childhood - with the creation simple games. This is interesting and understandable to a child. That is why the authors of this tutorial offer simple game and animation projects, by completing which the child will learn to program.

Why we decided to publish this book

We live in a digital age. And if you want your child to be successful and find himself in the future, help him - teach him programming now. And even if he does not choose a career as a programmer, these classes will help him develop logic, teach him to think analytically and find solutions to difficult problems.

Who is this book for?

• For children from 8 years old who want to learn to program.
• For parents who want to show their children the capabilities of a computer.
• For teachers. This book can be used in the classroom.

For parents

Scratch and Python programs can be downloaded and installed for free on any computer. We recommend that you install English versions of programs. We did not specifically adapt the publication to Russian versions (although they exist). Professional programmers should know English language, so let your child learn to program in English from the very beginning.

More recently, computer programming seemed like a mysterious craft, the preserve of specialists. The idea that programming could be fun for anyone never occurred to most people. But the world has changed. Internet, Email, social media, smartphones and mobile applications, rushing into our lives like a hurricane, transformed it in just a few years.

Computers occupy a very important place in modern world, and we take it for granted. We eagerly absorb any fruits of computerization - from online shopping and entertainment to news and games. However, we can not only use these technologies - by learning to program, we can develop them and create our own works of digital art.

Many people believe that programming is one of the most important skills of the 21st century.

Learning to program is very interesting because you can get results right away, no matter how much more material you have to learn. Moreover, creating games and programs is such a fun activity that it will soon seem like it requires almost no effort. This is an excellent opportunity for creativity, probably the first field of science to combine art, logic, writing and business.

In addition, the ability to program is very useful in life. It develops logic and intelligence, which are important in the most different areas- from science and engineering to medicine and law. The number of vacancies that require programming skills will only grow over time, and there are already not enough good programmers. Learn programming - and digital world will be open for you!

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Do you want to teach your child to code or just want to start learning to code? We present to your attention three books for young beginners in programming from the MYTH publishing house.

Scratch for kids

This book is suitable for children aged 8 years and older (and their parents!). Scratch is a simple, straightforward, and incredibly fun programming language. There are no codes that you need to know by heart and write without errors. All that is required is the ability to read and count. Creating a program using colorful blocks is no more difficult than building a house from a construction set! Detailed explanations, step-by-step examples and many exercises from the tutorial will help you master Scratch without difficulty.

Javascript for kids

In this book, Nick Morgan, a frontend developer on Twitter, happily shares programming secrets. By following the author's clear instructions, your child will easily master JavaScript, and also write several real games - searching for treasures on the map, “Hangman” and “Snake”. At every step, he will be able to evaluate the results of his work - in the form of a working program. WITH clear examples and funny illustrations will make learning even more enjoyable! Recommended for children over 10 years old.

Python for kids

A fun guide for children over 10 years old. Python is one of the most popular programming languages ​​today. By reading the book, the child will step by step comprehend the intricacies of this language, create fun games and learn to write their own programs. Gluttonous monsters, secret agents and crow thieves will help you cope with hilariously funny tasks.

Programming for kids

An exciting guide for children aged 8 years and older that will teach you how to use two computer languages ​​- Scratch and Python. Vivid illustrations, simple instructions and tips will help your child learn more about the capabilities of a computer, understand the basics of programming, and also create their first games and animations.

About the publishing house "MYTH"

In 2004, Igor Mann, Mikhail Ivanov and Mikhail Ferber decided to publish the best business books in Russian and answer with their own names for everything they do. They founded a company that initially specialized in publishing business literature on marketing and management. Gradually, new directions began to appear: sports, personal development, horizons, healthy eating.

The publishing house published its first books for children in 2012. These were the KUMON notebooks, popular all over the world, and the funny fairy tale “Zoki and Bada”. Today, children's direction is one of the main ones at MYTH. Every month there are many new products for children of different ages.

Deep educational texts, game elements, exercises for training important skills and original illustrations - this is what distinguishes MYTH children's books. Publishing workers study everything that comes out in other countries and travel to major world exhibitions to find the most interesting new products.

Just like the founding fathers once did, company employees continue to be responsible for the product in their own names. Now “MYTH” is not “Mann, Ivanov and Ferber”, but “Many Names and Surnames”.

We believe that programming is the literacy of the new era. It is not surprising that it is becoming popular even among those guys who never dreamed of following in the footsteps of Mark Zuckerberg. Logical thinking developed in the process of writing code will help a child become more successful both in school and in a future profession. Our first iPad game teaches kids algorithmic thinking and programming fundamentals, and shows them how and where to apply what they learn.

Hop Scotch

Platform: iPad
Russian language: No
Age: 9+

A tablet game with excellent graphics and colorful characters, allowing you to create your own games, puzzles and postcards using a visual programming language. Thus, the player can set a sequence of actions for each character, inventing a reaction to pressing the screen and even tilting the device itself. During the game, the child will learn to use conditional structures, cycles, and coordinate systems. The functionality is not very extensive, but still requires some time to master. But the creative possibilities that open up later are endless.

Code.org

Platform: Web
Russian language: Eat
Age: 4+

It is on the basis of these game courses from Microsoft that most of the classes of the annual promotion are held. The courses are divided into many lessons different levels complexity covering basic programming concepts. The visual language Scratch allows you to focus on the main thing - the structure of the code, instead of the syntax features of a particular “real” programming language. Interestingly, every year the project releases new courses, stylized as popular children's games and films: from Minecraft and Angry Birds to Frozen and Star Wars. If you need a more or less academic and systematic approach to learning, this is the place for you.

Kodable

Platform: Web, iPad, Android tablets
Russian language: No
Age: 4+

The goal of this project is to make programming a second language for a child even before he learns to read. By guiding the fluffy bunnies through the maze, children will understand that the main thing in programming is to imagine the final result and build a sequence of actions in accordance with it. I like this game because it does not contain written instructions, and the controls are intuitive for anyone who has mastered drag’n’drop.

Code Monkey Island

Platform: Board game
Russian language: No
Age: 8+

Started as a Kickstarter project, this game teaches the basics of computer logic without a screen or keyboard. The players' task is to move their troop of monkeys around the field using cards with commands like "Have every monkey not standing on a stone move forward three steps." Each card illustrates a programming concept such as conditionals, for loops each or Boolean algebra operations. According to the author, Raj Sidhu, after 45 minutes of playing, children will learn to easily operate these concepts. This is a great evening activity for the whole family and perhaps one of the most interesting programming games.

CargoBot

Platform: iPad
Russian language: Eat
Age: 4+

A puzzle on constructing algorithms with both easier problems for children and those that require serious brainstorming for their parents. The essence is simple, like everything ingenious: you need to arrange the boxes in the correct order. Apparently, this is why it is almost impossible to tear yourself away from this game - personally, I can play it for hours.

We at Kids’n’Code are confident that programming is not just a necessary skill, but a unique tool of self-expression that allows you to create miracles. I hope today I was able to inspire you to offer one of the games to your children. Or maybe write your first program yourself...