What is coding? A kid’s guide to computer programming

This article, What is coding? A kid’s guide to computer programming, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It helps children practise reading and comprehension, learn fun vocabulary, and explore the world of technology. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners

A language for computers

Coding is how people talk to computers. It’s a way of giving them instructions, step by step, so they know exactly what to do. Without code, your favourite video games, apps, websites, or even smart fridges wouldn’t work at all.

You can think of code like a recipe. Just as a recipe tells you how to bake a cake, code tells a computer how to solve a maths problem, play music, or move a robot arm. Every click, swipe, or tap you make, there’s code behind it making it all happen.

Why coding matters

Coding is becoming more important every year. Computers and machines are all around us, and they need people to tell them what to do.

Lots of jobs already use coding: game designers, app creators, web developers, scientists, engineers, and even people who build robots. In the future, coding could be part of almost any job.

How can kids learn coding?

Learning to code can be fun, especially for kids. There are simple ways to start, even without a computer. You can try games like Scratch, where you drag and drop blocks to make characters move, speak, or jump. It feels more like a puzzle than a lesson!

There are toys and apps out there that teach coding through storytelling, challenges, and games. Some schools teach basic coding too, so you might already be a coder and not even realise it.

A fun example

Here’s a tiny bit of code in a language called Python:

python

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print(“Hello, world!”)

This simple line tells the computer to show the words “Hello, world!” on the screen. That’s coding — short, clear, and clever.

Article vocabulary list

• Code – A set of instructions a computer can understand
• Swipe – To move your finger across a screen
• Developer – Someone who builds software or apps
• Engineer – A person who designs and builds things, often using science and maths
• Instructions – Steps that tell someone or something what to do
• Recipe – A list of steps to follow when cooking or baking
• Drag and drop – To move something on a screen using your finger or mouse
• Python – a popular language used in coding

Comprehension questions

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