Coding for Homeschoolers

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

My kids have always wanted to learn coding, so they were excited when they found out we were going to be reviewing Coding for Kids Annual Membership from Simply Coding.

They have been working on the Intro to Websites because they are also learning how to build their own sites in another computer program they are mastering.

My son wants to be a famous YouTuber one day (we’ll see about that!), but it’s been great for him to learn about the details behind building your own website. He’s also working on building his own blog, so he needs to know the terms that go with web design.

He has been working hard on coding–which is unusual for him–but I admit that he is struggling with it. When things don’t come easily for him, he is quick to shut down. I’ve had to do a lot of oversight with him to make sure that he is completing the videos and not just skipping forward. Since I have started to monitor him better, his quizzes have been much better.

My seventh grader hasn’t been as successful. To be honest, she’s not as interested in coding as she thought she would be, and she hasn’t made the same amount of progress that my son has. In fact, she keeps coming back to the same thing over and over again because it has just been too much for her to understand.

She’s still working on actually completing a quiz as she keeps having to go back and redo the lessons. While I think it’s a good challenge for her, I don’t think that coding is in her future.

The lessons are very comprehensive. The videos are set up to help the student visualize the lesson they are being taught. Then each step is added in as the student is given the opportunity to practice what they are learning. The lessons are divided into sections, and then each lesson builds on the next. At the end of each lesson, there is a quiz that offers the key to unlocking the next module. The student will have to take the quiz over if they fail.

As far as coding programs go, I think that this is a good one. But to be honest, I tried to help my son set up the beginning parts of his website, and I was completely lost. Perhaps I need a coding class myself!

While we’ve been working on Intro to Websites, there are so many more courses available with the Coding for Kids Annual Membership. Once we get through this first course, we plan to work on JavaScript Game Design and Minecraft Mods in Java. This course also teaches your student how to create their own apps as well.

Even more, this course offers courses on digital photography, videography, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and several others in its digital media section. In Simply Tech Essentials, your student will learn about Microsoft’s products (Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher), as well as how to build their own computer! And Simply Tech for Kids provides some more basic courses for beginners, such as Keyboarding, Internet Safety, and Creating Your Own YouTube Channel (don’t tell my son–that will be a reward for challenging himself!).

If you’re struggling to help your student–as I am!–there are also live teaching videos that will help your student learn from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.

The best part of this program is that your student can do it at his or her own pace. While my son is flying through it, my daughter is taking longer. And both ways are okay.

While we are moving slowly through the program, I am looking forward to seeing which areas my kids excel in and the final result at the end of the year.

The Coding for Kids Annual Membership is just $149 a year, which is a great deal considering all that is included with the membership (according to their website):

• 10 Day Trial to experience coding courses prior to annual payment.
• 24/7 access to Simply Coding’s full curriculum pathway
• Learning environment designed specifically for youth
• Live mentor chat support 9 am – 6 pm CT Mon. – Fri.
  • email support in the evenings/weekends

I definitely think that a coding program is essential to a well-rounded education. In today’s technological age, our kids will benefit from having a knowledge of how to build their own programs and how to properly operate computer systems.

Still not convinced? Take a look at what my fellow review crew has to say: