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Ask HN:How to introduce a 5 year old to computer science?

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Re: Ask HN:How to introduce a 5 year old to computer science?

#3

Post by bediger4000 »

You might want to let the 5-year-old watch old episodes of the PBS kids cartoon series, "Cyber Chase". It covers an astonishing range of subjects, from game theory to euclidean geometry to statistics to some programming.

Unfortunately, it was canceled before it got to Goedel's Incompleteness Theorem.

Re: Ask HN:How to introduce a 5 year old to computer science?

#6

Post by Lukeas14 »

Build a desktop computer together. 5 is a little young to start actual programming, especially if they're just learning to read. But putting together a computer from scratch is more like legos and in the process you can teach them about what each part does (power comes from the P/S at different levels, the CPU does all the calculations like addition/subtraction, HD holds data and memories forever, RAM holds it temporarily, etc)

I built one with my son when he was around the same age. Not sure how much computer knowledge he gained from that experience but it was still a fun project

Re: Ask HN:How to introduce a 5 year old to computer science?

#7

Post by jenkstom »

I have three five year olds. I been looking into this and I'm considering some of the "programming" games available for android since they have android tablets. They have to work without being able to read, though, so that's an added challenge.

Lightbot, Robotizen and Bit by Bit look promising. Tynker appears to require reading.

There are several Scratch-based applications out there, like Scratch, Jr. There's even a "PBS Kids" version of Scratch, Jr., which may be the best place to start.

We definitely want to encourage all sorts of STEM, though. I'm a software developer and my wife is a mechanical engineer.

We received a 3d printer just over a year ago, but mostly they are interested in small toys rather than actually creating anything. I've tried signing up for "teacher" resources for 3d printers, but they always want you to be affiliated with a school. Not much help for parents. That's a big hint to anybody developing STEM curriculum - it starts at home. Get the parents involved, please.

Re: Ask HN:How to introduce a 5 year old to computer science?

#8

Post by JamesLeonis »

When I was 5, I received a Game Boy for Christmas. It started me down the long road of computers, programming, and my career today.

I also had different building toys growing up. K-Nex, LEGOs, and Erector Sets were common. It gave me a place to explore creativity and building. As I grew older, I started learning how to use my father's tools for woodworking and basic carpentry.

In that spirit I would recommend fostering the impulse to create, build, and explore.

Re: Ask HN:How to introduce a 5 year old to computer science?

#9

Post by guilhermetk »

KZeillmann wrote: post #2

Why do you want to introduce a 5-year-old to computer science? Has your kid expressed interest?

The child is my nephew. The reason I want to show him computer science is from my own experience. When I was a kid, I got my first computer before all my friends. Today, I realize that made a big difference. Also, I see that his parents do not do not care about that, they gave him a tablet just to play and watch videos on youtube. I just want to show him that there's so much more than that!
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