Best Coding Programs/coding tutoring programs for an 11-year-old with a Low attention span?

Posted by Final-Aardvark-12@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 13 comments

I've been researching on the web and using AI to help me figure this out, but my brain is overwhelmed with the amount of information that's out there. My son loves coding, engineering, and overall anything where he uses his cognitive skills to create something. He's a very curious boy, and he's done some basic Scratch coding already. I know coding is a hobby he likes, and I personally want him to continue coding to keep him busy and stay off video games. I need diverse tutoring options for him so that he can continue to grow skills that he already enjoys. I know there are different types of coding programs, so I am creating a Google sheet with the different coding programs he could possibly try. If you could please share any suggestions on some programs he could potentially be interested in, it would be very appreciated!

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Kad1942@reddit

On the games side of things, there's a number of them that teach logic, which is very important to programming. The short attention span/hyper focus may benefit from a gamified approach, which probably gives the dopamine needed for such a mind.

-Minecraft has programming concepts with Redstone, but lacks a framework to guide someone through it.

-Factorio is an interesting game, tertiary to programming unless you get really deep into it, but has some similar concepts. Still lots of logic problems. You build a complex automated factory from the ground up, it's great for making you work around the poor choices you make as you learn.

-Turing Complete is a game where you build a computer from the ground up using digital logic circuits, eventually creating your own programming language and using your computer and language to make your own programs. While this sounds harder than it is, the game is advanced for someone that age. That being said, if someone had given 11 year old me this game, who knows where I would have gone... it is basically a fun tutorial on computer architecture.

There's tons of enriching games out there that can help develop useful problem solving skills. Programming is mostly problem solving, you don't need to learn 'coding' directly to be doing something useful in this domain.

I hope you find some fun ways to connect with your kid as they grow and learn!

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oatmealcraving@reddit

One option is Processing(.org). You can down load a Java based version, or there is an online JavaScript version.

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Final-Aardvark-12@reddit (OP)

side note yes he will hyper focus when ever he loves somethign the end ogal is help him find the type of coding he likes and will excell in and grow that skill.

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captainAwesomePants@reddit

Low attention span is a killer. Have that with one of my kids and it is very frustrating. I've found that, at least in my case, it pairs with hyper focus, but only on preferred activities. You kinda have to hope for an "in," like a love of gaming or drawing, and squeeze it in that way. Do they love playing Roblox? Get the studio installed and hope they get interested in sharing obbies with friends.

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Final-Aardvark-12@reddit (OP)

hi yes he has hyper focvus when ever he loves something lol but he will focus in things that matter to him things he actually enoys. coding is one of them but i know theres so many diff types of coding thats the issue i need options on where to get him started ha

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BranYip@reddit

I really enjoyed playing The Farmer Was Replaced recently

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KnGod@reddit

maybe check out sachtronic's games. Factorio is another interesting idea, a lot of the skill you get from those games translate pretty well into coding and problem solving skills

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Dissentient@reddit

There are video games that are based on programming where you write code as the main gameplay loop, like SHENZHEN I/O, Exapunks and The Farmer Was Replaced. Those will directly translate to programming skills since they use the same basic features as actual programing languages.

But also, I spent most of my free time during teenager years playing video games and I turned out fine. I don't think you need to optimize your son's life to make him spend 100% of his time on marketable skills.

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BSTRhino@reddit

There is so much more he can do with Scratch, if you look at some of the projects on there some people spend months creating masterpieces on there. There is also Easel which is text-based coding and has more game features built in (like physics calculations and multiplayer) so sometimes suits people who are outgrowing Scratch.

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