Robotics education for children is one of the best investments parents can make today for the well-being of their children. This science is of great importance not only today, but will most likely be of much greater value in the future.
It is enough to observe how robotics influences the majority of devices that surround us. For example, computers, cars, GPS and even the programs that we use with our smartphone have some relation to robotics . As it is a science that is so present in our daily lives, teaching children about robotics can be a very important tool in their future.
We must remember that robotics for children is not only knowing how to build a robot, but also having basic notions of programming. This is because programming is responsible for making robots capable of performing a vast number of functions and processes .
Programming knowledge is in growing demand today, since knowing how to program is necessary in a large number of fields , not only in robotics. Among the sectors that most demand programmers are video games, software and application development, among others.
It might be mistakenly thought that learning to code could benefit adults who want to enter the programming field of work . However, the truth is that learning to program from childhood has multiple benefits that could go unnoticed at first glance.
Benefits of robotics for children
If you decide to teach your children to program, so that they can take their first steps in the world of robotics , they can obtain the following benefits:
- Learning about programming improves children’s reasoning, problem-solving, and math skills. Likewise, robotics for children can positively influence the performance of some language subjects.
- Robotics for children involves creating a project, structuring it and learning how to execute it. This can make children’s creativity increase .
- It improves self-esteem and self-confidence, since children will be able to see how the projects in which they apply effort manage to materialize.
- It improves the ability to concentrate , since programming requires very high levels of attention.
- Competencies related to logic are trained due to the need to structure and develop ideas .
- It improves children’s abilities to work as a team , since when programming is complex, it encourages them to seek help.
What is the best way to teach programming to children?
Now that you know what the benefits of robotics for children are, you probably want to know what is the best way to introduce children to this world. In this regard, it should be mentioned that the following are the best tools to teach children to program :
Scratch
Scratch is a mix between an Internet community and a programming language. It is the work of Lifeong Kindergarten group. One of the main advantages of this tool is that it is free, so you will not have to spend any money to use it. With it, children will be able to create their own stories and games . They will also be able to share everything they create through the online community.
Blockly
Blocky is one of the most popular alternatives to Scratch. It features the same structure as a toy building block , but has the added benefit of exporting programming code to popular programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, PHP, Dart, and Lua.
This does not mean that it is a very complex programming language, since its visual constructor makes it perfect to be used by children .
etoys
Another very interesting option is Etoys. With it you can create stories, games and models, which can be used for a child to take their first steps in programming before trying to program their own robot . Like Scratch, it is a free tool.
Alice
If you think your kids might be interested in 3D programming, Alice is the tool to give them as it allows them to create interactive 3D videos, stories and games .
Alice’s creators focus on product programming, making it a good pre-robot option .
hopscotch
Hopscotch’s philosophy is based on the belief that programming is accessible to everyone, including children. It has the advantage that it has an iPad version , which can come in handy if you want your children to be able to program from that device.
Tynker
Tynker is another useful option for programming online without downloading software . Children can use this tool to create their own apps, animated stories, games, and projects .
Children will be able to feel very comfortable using it, since it is a very visual programming language in which only blocks of code have to be mixed to prepare the creations.
Stencyl
Quick and free, Stencyl is a tool that will allow children to learn to program in a very simple way. Simply drop and drag code to create games. However, it also opens up the possibility of writing code, so it is a tool that offers quite a wide range of possibilities .
It should be noted that this tool can be used on iOS, Android, Linux and Mac, so it is a software that is available to all users .
robomind
Robomind is a programming tool in ROBO, the tool’s own programming language. At its core, it is a fairly simple programming language, so learning how to use it should not be a problem for children .
This tool is recommended for parents who want their child to start learning robotics for kids right away. This is because Robomind is geared towards AI programming. In fact, it is compatible with the LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 robotic kit. However, keep in mind that this tool is not free, although the investment involved can be very beneficial for children.
The best deal to buy LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 we’ve found
waterbear
With an easy-to-understand, visual language, Waterbear is an excellent tool for teaching children to code. It does not require previous programming knowledge, but can be used from the beginning .
Lego Mindstorms
Finally, we must mention the most popular tool to teach robotics for children. This is the LEGO robotics kits. The programming possibilities offered by this toy are very wide, despite the fact that it is completely aimed at children .
Although it is true that it is a free tool to use, you will not be able to make it work without first investing in a LEGO Mindstorms programming kit .
As well as being the most effective way to teach kids robotics, LEGO Mindstorms allows you to modify the programming language to complement more complex programming languages like C++ and Python .
Our purchase recommendation is the LEGO Mindstorms Education Version kit.
