Teaching Programming to Kids

Just the other day, it just popped into my head that perhaps I should teach Chloe, who is now 6 years and 7 months old, programming.

After looking around, I have finally decided to go with FMSLogo. It’s visual, interpreted and simple enough for kids. In addition, I also vaguely remember that I had also used Logo long ago when I started my association with programming as well.

It definitely helps that there are online resources that give additional guidance on how to make this work with kids. Given my lack of time, the availability of such material as the Logo Workshop Homepage really makes it so much easier.

Since my sister’s also has 2 kids in the same age range, I extended the offer to teach them together. Hope that works out and doesn’t become a nightmare!

Well, planning to start either next weekend or the following one and it should be a weekly session. Updates once we get going.

Additional resources for those interested in using Logo for teaching kids programming: MSWLogo Homepage and its links to many more resources.

Filed under: Family, Happenings, IT Architecture, Design and Programming, Notes

Designer Boardgames

I’ve always been interested in games – all sorts and all mediums. I even had a hand in “designing” games during my Secondary School days to play in class with my friends. And of course, we come up with our own rules for games that totally changed the original gameplay. Then of course there were the PC games that brought me into world of IT.

And last year a friend who came back from overseas re-ignited my interest in boardgames. He bought a designer boardgame (Heroscape) and asked me to read up about it.

And that led me to the BoardGameGeek website and the world of designer boardgames. And a few months after that, I bought the following games:

Citadels

Gulo Gulo

Race for the Galaxy

Wasabi!

Once Upon a Time

And I am still thinking of buying more! :p

My list of games owned can be found here. Look for for the reviews on the games – you should not need to wait more than a year for them!

Filed under: Games, Happenings