Teaching Kids Programming

[Chuck]

I'd like to start teaching my 7 year old programming but I don't program myself.

What's the best way to get started?

[randy48]

Chuck, to start off...I HATE PROGRAMING! Feel better now http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif I learned basic (many moons ago) on a Commodore VIC20 and a C-64. But to learn C++ I picked up a book called "SAMS Teach Yourself C++ in 24 Hours". It came with a Borland Turbo C++ Lite CD and was fairly easy to learn. The book is split-up into 24 one-hour lessons which really helps! I bought it at a college book store. They have it on Amazon for $15.99 (I payed $25), here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672315165/qid=981915317/sr=1-12/ref=sc_b_12/102-5757580-1588117

Hope this helps! Keep him/her interested in it, and if they decide they need more books/software, more powerful machine, do your best to support it http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[golfcart]

Hi chuck,
For a 7 year old, you might want to start with some basic HTML. Its not true programming in the sense but would get him/her into the habit of editing and formatting code. You could do a website of family photos or a cartoon character or something. If you dont allow your child to access the web then you could just run it locally on your computer. If you can teach a 7 year old how to do HTML, in a few years he/she may be interested in more advanced skills like PERL, VBScript, ASP and the like.
I think its a great idea to start kids young if they enjoy it. Best of luck.

[Long Haired Hippie Phreek]

Also, let the kid play around in dos for a while. It gets rid of that point and click mindset and gets you thinking about lines and commands, even if dos commands are different from c++ ones. Also good because from my experience, dos is much easier to program for than windoze.

[Donkey]

I think it is a good idea but just make sure you are not forcing them to do it as they will end up hating it. I think maybe starting on visual basic or something might be better as it is a lot easier to get into than C++
Rod