Coding for Kids Ages 8-12: Simple C++ Programming Lessons and Games to Get You Started With Programming from Scratch

By Bob Mather

Learning to code isn't as hard as it sounds―you just have to get started! Coding for Kids in C++ starts off with the very basics: Learn why coding has taken the world by storm, and why C++ is a great way to get started. The book has 50 interactive programs, and then another 50 exercises to practice each concept at the back of every chapter. Every chapter is a building block of programming block of programming that kids can use to master the basics, and start creating their very own games. Kids will progress through unique lessons packed with helpful examples!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abiprod Pty Ltd
• Release date: Apr 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215825891

Book preview

Introduction

It was a cool, windy evening in Chicago. I was enjoying the playoffs on television. Suddenly, I heard a crackle on the TV, and the picture started getting fuzzy. A couple of minutes later, the whole screen went green. No picture, no game. It was frustrating to have the TV go out in the middle of the game.

Hearing my groan of annoyance and frustration, my wife, Candy asked me what happened. ‘Well. The TV screen just went blank. Right in the middle of the game’. My 9-year-old son, Steve, who just walked in the room, said ‘That’s an easy fix’. Steve switched the television off and made a few adjustments to the satellite box. And two minutes later, he switched the television on, and it was working. Like magic!!!

Next, we have the case of Abby. She was a tennis player in Madison high school. She had been struggling for months since she recovered from an elbow injury. She’d lost 3 tournaments this year which she had won the previous year. She was upset, but she realized that the loss happened for a reason. It wasn’t bad luck or lack of skill. It was due to certain circumstances. She decided that she needed to change things quickly. She spent more time analysing replays of her game and how it had changed in the last six months. She figured out that her grip on the racket had changed since the injury and her forehand was badly affected. She changed her grip at practice and instantly felt she was playing a lot better. At the next tournament, she won easily. Abby was back on track.

Now, let’s look at the final example of Matthew. Matthew was a 12-year-old in a small town in rural Wyoming. He had interest in science and technology, but there wasn’t much opportunity to explore this in his community. One day, someone donated a dozen computers in his school, and he was one of the lucky ones to be able to take it home. The computer was pre-installed with C++. He was intimidated with the idea of coding. However, with the help of a few books in the library, he got started. He did some basic projects and eventually became the coding whiz of the school. His classmates loved his games and animations and asked him to teach them how to code. Matthew eventually went to college for computer science, and now works for a very high salary as a programmer in Silicon Valley.

All the above situations are hypothetical ones, where the innate ability of Matthew, Abby and Steve led to wonderful outcomes. They had the grit and determination to deal with adversity and learn quickly. However, there are other skills that each of them have shown that can be learnt with programming.

Steve had been learning programming for the last couple of years, and his problem-solving skills were advanced. He was able to break things apart, fix them and repair items like televisions and computers easily.

Abby had also learnt coding recently. She was really good at spotting mistakes in the code and fixing them. This had translated into real life in different situations, with an ability to spot details that others struggled with.

Matthew’s life had changed due to programming. That was his only outlet for his skills and creativity in a community that didn’t have many opportunities. He now has his dream career and hopes to inspire many more in his situation to do the same.

These above three examples show how coding can completely change one’s mindset, problem solving abilities, creativity; and greatly improve one’s quality of life.

What is Programming?

Programming is the creation of a systematic set of instructions that a computer can understand and execute. These instructions are called code, and they are written in a language that’s known as a programming language. There are many extraordinary programming languages, each with their own personal syntax and capabilities.

Benefits of Programming

Programming is like a paintbrush for the digital world. It lets you to create and form thoughts into something tangible, something that can be shared and experienced by using others.

With programming, you have the strength to build and layout digital landscapes, from the tiniest of small print to the grandest of software designs. You can create interactive experiences that captivate audiences. You can automate tedious tasks, making them extra efficient and freeing up time for more important pursuits.

Programming is a great tool for problem-solving. It allows you to take complex issues and break them down into manageable pieces. It's like a jigsaw puzzle, the place you coalesce blocks collectively to build something greater. With programming, you can flip data into knowledge, and that knowledge into action. You can communicate with machines and make them do your bidding. It's like a secret language that only a select few are privy to, and with that knowledge, you can liberate hidden tasks.

Programming is a medium through which you can express your creativity, fix problems, and change the world. It's a tool that empowers you to carry your ideas to

Reviews for Coding for Kids Ages 8-12

[Abhishek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great started book for c++. Especially in lower and middle school.