Firstly, why teach coding in homeschool?
Aside from the fact that we live in a digital age and it can be a very useful skill, coding has a tonne of benefits for your child today. AND, it’s actually a really fun activity for them (or both of you if you learn together like we are).
Some of the benefits include:
- Maths skills
- Logical thinking
- Structural thinking
- Creativity
- Writing/story telling
- Persistence
What age can I introduce my child to coding?
If you are teaching your child other subjects such as maths and reading, they are old enough to be introduced to the concepts of coding.
If they are not there yet, you may still be able to start with Scratch Jr.
How do I start?
Luckily, there are lots of passionate computer whizzes out there who have developed fabulous programmes that teach coding.
All you need to start coding is:
- A laptop or tablet/ipad
- An Internet connection
Alright, let’s get started!
One of the best places to start is Scratch, which is a FREE coding community for kids developed by MIT. Kids are able to create stories, games, and animations and share them.
This is a really great place to start because it’s FREE and the quality is amazing.
If your child is a little younger, Scratch Jr. is a perfect place for them as they work visually with blocks. This means it is easy for a child to learn the concepts of coding without needing to read or write anything yet. It’s also a lot of fun.
If you find your child is really keen on coding, perhaps they are interested in game development, robotics, or engineering, and you want to invest in a more comprehensive programme I recommend CodaKid.
This programme is a little pricey but the quality is unbeatable.
Your child has access to a library of video courses that are easy to follow and cover lots of coding languages. They also have options for 1-on-1 online lessons with a tutor.
My son is really into Minecraft at the moment, and there are 15 Minecraft coding courses on CodaKid, which is a big bonus for him. But I love that CodaKid covers a broad range of coding languages and skills.
CodaKid has given him a computer confidence that he may not have otherwise developed.
As I mentioned, CodaKid is a little pricey at $199 p/year. However, they do offer a free trial if you want to check it out. For us, it is worth it, but if you are looking for great options across price ranges, check out my lists below:
I have included some programmes on both lists as they offer free and paid versions.
Free Options:
Paid Options:
- CodaKid
- Code Monkey
- Kodable
- Tynker (great for Minecraft enthusiasts)
- Code Wizards HQ
- Code Combat
- Code Academy
Now that you know how to introduce your child to coding, go get started!!!
It is so much fun, and there is a heap of undercover learning going on.
Let me know in the comments below if you and your child have a favourite coding programme.
Lots of love – Holly
Holly Homeschooling 
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