Programming Time
Learning and science
children programming education game
SHOW HN2022
203points
72comments
#278of 2,570 in 2022
Top 11%of 2022 by points
How HN took it
DebatedReal support and real criticism
12 positive, 8 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 8 critical, out of 28 comments about the project. Thread score +0.15.
Idea: 3 for, 6 againstDesign: 5 for, 2 againstPricing: 1 for, 0 againstExecution: 1 for, 0 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Simple, fun, clever way to teach programming without screens
From 3 comments
Simple Efficient Fun I’m a fan.
jrgd on HNLove this and am looking for more ways to teach programing and stem generally without putting my child in front of a screen all the time. Will be starting with shoots and ladders…
stonlyb on HNThis is so neat! Seems like a really fun game, and I'm also a big fan of the very straightforward & minimal website. Would definitely buy one of the decks you're planning to sell…
trykondev on HN
Professional-looking cards and minimal website
From 2 comments
This is so neat! Seems like a really fun game, and I'm also a big fan of the very straightforward & minimal website. Would definitely buy one of the decks you're planning to sell…
trykondev on HNThanks! The 300 decks arrived yesterday, and we were super excited with my daughter. Today we played multiple times and its super fun. Even though we played many times when I…
throwaway47292 on HN
Objections
Block-based languages like Scratch are recommended over Python for young kids
From 2 comments
May I suggest that instead of Python, if the aim is for children, you consider a block based language such as Scratch or MakeCode? I have a nephew who is ~8 and is doing…
emacsen on HNBlock based programming languages are a bad idea for teaching kids programming and I would argue actually counter productive. There is no need to 'transition' as BASIC, and…
freediver on HN
Cards too complex for young children; suggested simplifying
From 2 comments
I suggest simplifying the content of the cards. Love this idea!
block_dagger on HNVery cool! I'd recommend simplifying it. I created a card game for SQL and kids were lost when there was too much work involved until I simplified it - https://rowsandtables.com
Rinum on HN
Game may not be fun
From 1 comment
This may well be an effective way to learn to code but god, it sure doesn't seem like a way to have any fun.
ghostly_s on HN
Requests
Fix typos on cards
From 3 comments
There's a typo on the ghost card: ``` Roll the dice until your door is different __form__ the ghost's door ```
shitloadofbooks on HNSuper cool idea! I think I found a typo on this card: https://punkjazz.org/programming-time/photos/c.png Your comment next to e=7 says: "pick a number between (p-1)*(q-1)..." But…
appleflaxen on HNthere is a typo # Roll the dice until your door is # different form the ghost's door. should be from*
hackernewds on HN
Easier difficulty decks
From 1 comment
Thanks for the suggestion, I made those specifically with my daughter, and are tailored to improve her level. But you are right, in the future I will make decks with different…
throwaway47292 on HN
Questions
How old is the daughter
From 2 comments
> playing card game to teach your kids > "Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange" Just how old and already well-instructed is said daughter I wonder. Certainly not as young and novice (and…
ByThyGrace on HNJust curious if you could share how old is your daughter. I have tried teaching coding (several approaches, but eventually on Scratch) my 9yo nephew, but ran into many issues.…
prashnts on HN
Is there anything game-like about it
From 1 comment
You should mention that it was her idea and that you worked on it together on the web page! I'd buy it to support her efforts more than because I am sure my 11 year old would…
jvvw on HN
Alternatives named
Scratch
From 2 comments
May I suggest that instead of Python, if the aim is for children, you consider a block based language such as Scratch or MakeCode? I have a nephew who is ~8 and is doing…
emacsen on HNI think this depends on the age of the child and on the child themselves. Scratch is what they teach him in school, so that's what he knows. Scratch is also a real programming…
emacsen on HN
Robot Turtles
From 1 comment
Robot Turtles could be a good way to introduce multi-step reasoning. You'll need to be attentive to your kid's developmental level (and don't worry about "other kids." One of the…
dhosek on HN
Jupyter notebooks
From 1 comment
I don't see the reason for not just doing this as Jupyter notebooks. I am child free but I just can't see not using Jupyter notebooks. If I had a kid we would learn jupyter after…
graphpercolator on HN
Snakes and ladders
From 1 comment
Is shoots and ladders the same as "snakes and ladders" ? https://www.amazon.com/HASBRO-GAMING-Chutes-Ladders-Board/dp/B00V82MG2O is what you're talking about?
littlethrowaway on HN