5 Reasons Why Python Is a Perfect Choice to Learn Coding from an Early Age

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April 23, 2021 Career

If your child is showing signs they enjoy coding, it’s your job to guide their curiosity and creativity through the jungle of programming languages and platforms. However, there are so many new technologies and platforms out there that even a specialist may have trouble choosing.

So, to avoid any confusion, we think Python is the language that works best for young minds. The syntax is not overly complex and the language is used on some of the most modern tools and apps available right now. Therefore, it’s safe to say that future generations will also code in Python (among other languages).

But we’re here to convince you that a young child can learn this programming language without having to be a genius. Therefore, here are the five main reasons why we think Python is a great option for kids:

#1: It’s Kid-friendly

Unlike most programming languages, Python gives comments and explanations with each instruction you type, so it’s easy to know what each piece of code does. In addition, the syntax is in plain English, so it’s easy to remember the most usual commands.

Moreover, if you want to let children enjoy Python from a young age, there are various tools, like Python for kids, that can help make it more entertaining. This way, by the time they get to high school, your kids will be masters of the language.

#2: Easy Setup

The installation is simple and straightforward and all the tools you need are a computer that runs Microsoft Windows, Linux, or Mac and a solid internet connection (to download the installer). We recommend getting the installer from the Python Software Foundation and following these steps:

Launch the installer (you may have to unzip the file first)
Follow the instructions provided by the installer
Complete the installation

It’s important to know that this installer also adds a Python interpreter to the main application. This is important because it converts the code written in human-readable language into instructions that the system can understand. This way, you write the instructions in a natural manner and the system makes the conversion in machine language.

#3: Python is Popular

Python has a rather simplistic framework which is why it’s easy to use in a wide array of projects. For instance, data scientists prefer to use this language as it can handle Big Data and bulk libraries of data without causing any trouble. Even more, it’s easy to integrate with other languages, which is a fantastic feature for the future of computer programming.

In addition, it is one of the fastest-growing programming languages in the last 25 years and there are no signs of slowing down. Therefore, kids who learn Python today may actually get to use it (or a modified version of it) as adults.

#4: It Is Easy to Learn

If you’ve ever written code in JavaScript or C# (or any other languages for that matter), you know just how much trouble a missing comma or curly bracket can cause. Even, more frustrating, the error message doesn’t always indicate the missing character and can throw you off track for hours!

Python is not like that. The syntax is clear and easy to understand by individuals of any age because it is written in a natural English language. In addition, simple programs don’t require deep insight into object-oriented programming concepts.

#5: It Can Become a Solid Career

We already mentioned that Python is a popular language with a lot of potential for the future. Therefore, your little ones could grow up to become skilled Python programmers by the time they start their professional life (no need for extra advanced education).

Overall, learning a programming language is an important skill for the future, as it develops a wide array of skills such as reasoning, logical thinking, and more.