13 years old is the best age to start programming using text languages. Lua, Python, C#, JavaScript – doesn’t matter. And 13-year-olds can learn web development using HTML and CSS. How it is useful and why, how to start learning – we tell in the article.

Writing code and web development are topics that have been on everyone’s lips for a long time. Someone considers them old-fashioned and strongly opposes teaching modern children and teenagers to programming, while other people see great prospects in it and the second literacy necessary for the personality of the XXI century.

We are at school Pixel we believe that writing code is not so much a narrow skill as a means of general development. Even a simple program is primarily a logical sequence of commands responsible for the performance of separate tasks, awareness of which teaches how to think. And understanding the structure, clarity and other principles of flawless code will gradually activate:

• Development of logical thinking;

• formation of attentiveness;

• Development of additional important skills such as the ability to see the parts of the whole, highlight the most important of them and evaluate the contribution of each to the overall result.

At the same time, writing code teaches children to use computers and programs wisely, not just for fun. This fact often becomes an additional argument in favor of useful leisure time in the form of training in programming courses or independent classes from lessons in the format of videos or text guides. We want to talk about the second option, but we will focus on the content of specific directions and features of a number of popular languages.

What languages ​​and environments for writing code can be successfully mastered by teenagers aged 13 and older

Programming at the age of 13 is a direction available to any modern teenager. We will omit all other mentioned arguments, we will emphasize that it is most important to take into account the interests of the child. Options:

• A teenager is fond of games. And here a good solution would be learning how to create them. Lua and the Roblox environment, the Unity engine and complex C # will do. Why in quotes? Because teenagers are characterized by a sufficiently developed mind and thinking to master text languages;

• The schoolboy likes to spend time on various entertainment sites. In such cases, we recommend offering children the direction of web development. The very idea of ​​creating a full-fledged website from scratch fascinates teenagers, which forces them to learn and use the appropriate tools: HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

We have given examples: other directions are available to interested children. This is, say, the Python language: it can be studied separately or in connection with the popular game universe Minecraft. You can object and say that Minecraft is written in Java (the basic version) and in C++ (a version adapted for a number of devices), and you are right, but it is the language “Python” that is suitable for creating simple mods and managing in-game objects.

Let’s cut to the chase and look at the programming available to kids 13 and up.

Programming in Roblox with Lua

Here and then we will start with the theory and describe the programs and languages. Let’s start:

• Roblox is an online gaming platform where you can create games, communicate with beginners and experienced programmers, exchange projects, experience and more. The site is well revealed in connection with the cross-platform engine Roblox Studio – a great tool for creating 3D games, their interfaces and items, objects and similar things for your own projects;

• Lua is a scripting language created by the staff of the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. We at Pixel believe that the implementation logic of this language is close to JavaScript, but the syntax is simple: it resembles Pascal. This is a plus from the point of view of immersion in the direction, if the child has no experience in writing code, but wants to do it.

Roblox and the Studio engine in conjunction with the Lua language often become the basis of programming and 3D modeling courses for 13-year-olds. At the same time, in classes, children not only learn to write code, but also create:

• Three-dimensional models;

• Virtual maps for own games;

• More complex projects as full-fledged game programs.

Gamification or linking to the creation of games is a plus, especially if the teenager is fond of gaming. We find this principle significant: its implementation improves learning and memorization, as well as understanding of basic commands and constructs, say loops, functions, variables, branches, etc.

Getting to know Lua using the example of work in Roblox is a good start in programming. The classes prepare a reliable basis for learning more complex languages, which is a plus if the child wants to continue programming.

Here are the video lessons that will help you get started if you decide to do it yourself instead of using computer courses:

Programming in Python, including the example of creating mods in Minecraft

And again we start with the theory:

• Python is a high-level, general-purpose language. Some people consider it too banal and unprofessional, but if you want to take a logical step in the development of writing code and move from Lua to more complex things, Python will be a great solution;

• Minecraft is a popular indie sandbox game with survival and RPG elements. Children are attracted by the possibility of building with cubic blocks, but something else is more interesting: with the help of Python, even a beginner can create mods for the game “Minecraft”. And again to the principle of gamification: it simplifies the learning of a complex language and makes the learning process more interesting.

As with Lua and Roblox, Python and Minecraft are often included in online programming courses for 13-year-olds. But the Python language can be used independently when writing code for simple games, programs, and more. It is used by programmers in a number of independent directions. It:

• Web development;

• creating the basics of advanced graphical interfaces;

• Working with databases;

• System programming;

• Control and automation of complex calculations;

• Machine learning, etc.

Yes, we agree that Python is overhyped, but we think that’s a consequence of its versatility. This fact cannot be disputed.

Here are some selections of educational videos that will help you take the first steps:

We also recommend the book by Jason Briggs. It’s called “Python for Kids” and is often used by beginners as a self-tutor.

C# programming in Unity

The next logical step is getting to know the C# language using the example of the implementation of game projects on the Unity engine, but this direction can also be considered the main, independent one. Here, a lot depends on the hobbies of the teenager and the experience he has accumulated.

To the theory:

• C# is an object-oriented language originally created by Microsoft for coding applications for the Windows operating system. Today, its possibilities are much wider. This is backend development, creation of web applications, logic programming, etc. The C# language is rightfully considered promising due to its capabilities and the fact of support from Microsoft, a large multinational corporation that, with a number of reservations, is a leader in the field of creating software for personal computers, set-top boxes, PDAs, smartphones and other devices;

• The Unity engine is a cross-platform game development environment. The creators provide internal tools for working with graphics, animation, object physics and even sounds. Combined with C#, Unity becomes a great way to teach programming to teenagers. Even if we talk only about the development of games, it can be noted that this niche is widespread and will expand in the future.

The presented language in Unity is used for programming:

• 2D games for mobile devices;

• Three-dimensional game projects for computers, consoles.

It can be seen that C# programming is just as promising as game development. Therefore, both collectively and individually, these directions are excellent tools for developing the foundations of professional employment in the future.

Here are the lessons you can start with:

If it is more convenient to read, we recommend the book by Martin Dreyer called “C# for students”.

Web development in HTML, CSS and JavaScript

As before, let’s start with the basics:

• HTML is a hypertext markup language. It is used to structure and design content on websites. Thanks to HTML, developers create hierarchical and convenient page structures, add headings, paragraphs, lists and more. All this improves the user experience, makes it positive;

• CSS is a comprehensive tool designed primarily for the visual design of websites. It is seen as a language and cascading style sheets that are useful in terms of managing the visual component of sites. It includes a set of graphic objects placed on separate pages. These are fonts, pictures and menus, their colors, background images, relative arrangement of sections and similar components of the general content;

• JavaScript is a high-level programming language. It gained popularity as a scripting tool in web development. There is an opinion that JavaScript is similar to Python and C#, which is partly true, but we hasten to emphasize the difference: it is about the fact that the former belongs to the category of languages ​​that are interpreted, not compiled. And everyone has their own purpose.

We emphasize that web development is a popular and widespread field. Specialists with the appropriate skills and knowledge can:

• Create sites and remote programs, maintain their functionality;

• Use HTML, CSS and JavaScript professionally;

• Optimize sites, make them more attractive in the eyes of search robots;

• Test and debug web projects, run them, and more.

So, if you’re looking for programming courses for a 13-year-old, web development is a good choice. Yes, the classes do not use simple children’s languages ​​like Scratch, but complex ones, but our practice shows that enthusiastic boys can successfully cope even with C#.

If the decision is made to move in the direction of web development on your own, it will help a selection of educational videos.

What direction to choose and where to start if text languages ​​seem difficult

We have already talked about choosing the direction of additional IT training for teenagers: it is best to be guided by the child’s interests and not be guided by thoughts such as “Python is too popular” or “writing code is not a child’s topic.” In short, Lua and Roblox, Python and Minecraft, as well as Unity and C# are suitable for gamers. If you are interested in the topic of web development, you should definitely look into HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

When it comes to the first steps and early childhood at the elementary school level, the Scratch and Scratch Junior environments will help develop an interest in writing code and understand its basic principles. These are visual languages ​​that have proven themselves well in the development of preschoolers and younger schoolchildren in programming. You should not expect anything more from the presented environments than the formation of interest and enthusiasm for coding, but for a start, they will be the best.

We would like to summarize and once again emphasize the prospects of the proposed directions, as well as emphasize the importance of taking into account the interests of the teenager when choosing an option for additional IT education.

If you already have experience teaching kids to code, share it and tell us where you started. Maybe you’re learning how to code yourself? If so, please indicate the most promising language in your opinion.

The material is prepared Pixel – a programming school for children aged 5-17.