![]() Python can be more of a “slow burn.” If your student has an analytical mind and enjoys logical puzzles or seeing how a topic can evolve, they’ll love Python coding. On a related note, the amount of work that goes into seeing a concrete payoff varies greatly between Python and Scratch. So, talk with your student about what their goals are and what they’re most excited to build, and you’ll set them up for success with Scratch or Python. Students who are of middle-school age who can’t wait to explore Python might do well to start with a robotics project Sphero offers excellent hardware to make the complex coding concepts a bit more concrete. From coding arcade games to progressing to a more advanced Python course with complex algorithms, machine learning, and cryptography, the language is rich subject matter just waiting to be explored. Perhaps your student loves video games or is intrigued by the recent developments in artificial intelligence technology. And since it’s used at the collegiate and professional level, the sky’s the limit to what kids can learn. Python, on the other hand, has more sophisticated and practically unlimited project potential. Scratch also offers numerous interdisciplinary options as kids code their own story or song using simple block-based or drag-and-drop tools. Kids will love learning to create a game sprite (character), and kinesthetic learners who engage with hands-on projects can connect Scratch with VEX robotics. When using Scratch, students can create amazing art and games, and they can enrich their learning with hardware. The key? Talking with your child about their goals and interests. Project-based learning is tremendously beneficial for students of all ages, so there’s lots of potential for both coding languages. Let’s take a closer look at Python and Scratch as coding languages and learning opportunities! Complexity & appealįirst things first: Python is a much more complex programming language than using Scratch. While both are great for beginners (more on this later), Scratch is block-based, and thus appropriate for younger students, while Python is text-based programming, and offers a compelling introduction to coding for secondary students. ![]() There are no one size-fits all rules here, however, so don’t underestimate the power of your unparalleled expertise in determining what’s best for your learner. If you could use some basic background info before diving in, check out this guide to block-based coding (Scratch) and this intro to Python programming for kids. We’ll walk through the key considerations and key points in a learner-centered way that avoids confusing jargon, the better to paint a picture for your child. To help you ensure a great first coding experience for your child, our guide will frame learning Python and Scratch using each of these elements. That may seem like a lot to sift through, but fear not: we’ve done most of that legwork! Some important factors to consider include your child’s age, interests, and goals. Positive early experiences are very powerful when learning anything for the first time, and we’re here to help you make that possible for your learner. It’s a journey, a really fun one that’s meant to be adjusted and tweaked along the way, and this post will help you ensure your student starts off on the right foot. ![]() But first things first, let’s take some of the pressure off: learning to code is a process, so there’s no need to worry about finding the perfect fit, project, or language right off the bat! If you’re looking to spark a love of tech for your child, navigating the different options for starter languages is an important beginning step. ![]() So, if Scratch, Python, and all of the other coding languages for kids may as well be Greek to you, you’ve come to the right place! Let us demystify two of today’s most popular programming language options for you. In the wide world of coding, knowing where to start can be a challenge.
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