The ideal age for a child to start coding is around 5 for meeting logic through ScratchJr and screen-free games, 7 to 8 for full block coding in Scratch, and 10 to 13 for moving to a text language like Python. These figures are a rough guide. The real decider is the child's readiness: interest, attention span, and reading ability.
- A small notebook to record your child's interests and readiness signs
- Free access to ScratchJr (tablet) or Scratch (browser)
- 20 to 30 minutes to sit with your child and observe their response
- Patience to read the signs, while a neighbour's child reaches a different milestone
