Hey everyone! So I've been programming for a couple of years now, even getting into Linux Kernel programming at my internship. I fell in love with computer science after self-studying Berkeley's CS61a in high school and eventually changed my major to CS. Now, my 13-year-old brother is really interested in programming and wants to know how he can get started.
I'm thinking of recommending him a university introductory course since I believe they enforce the fundamentals well, and I can support him if he struggles. Initially, I was considering CS61a, but it might be too tough, so I was leaning towards CS50x or maybe MIT's intro class.
I'd also like him to learn a programming language that allows him to mod games, maybe Lua or PyGame. I want to avoid Scratch since he's eager to write actual code. I've also considered starting with Scheme since it helped me a lot.
Does this plan sound reasonable? Have any of you had experience with kids getting into CS? Would an intro university course be too challenging for him? What methods worked for you? Looking forward to your insights!
1 Answer
I think CS50x would be a solid choice for your brother, especially if he has your guidance. He might not keep up as quickly as older students, but it's a great way to grasp the fundamentals at a young age. I started learning programming around his age too, and these structured courses really laid the foundation for me! Remember, the early days of learning programming can be a great adventure, so just be patient with him as he learns!
Wow, you've got quite the experience! What career path did you end up taking after learning CS?