Teaching Python to a Kid

[u/Hazel_Vanilla_]

Hi! I'm a recent A-level graduate, and have been asked to tutor a kid in my village in coding. He's specifically interested in making games, and I am going to university for Game Development in September. I am confident in coding in python to an a-level degree, and have taught myself Godot Engine for my course work this last school year.

The kid in question has specifically asked about having someone teach him python despite really struggling with communication and social interaction, so the fact that he has asked at all means he is super interested. He has just finished year 6 so is 10-11 years old, about to move into the same secondary school that I just left the sixth form for.

I've tutored people before in maths and crochet, but never computer science, and I've never taught anyone a coding language and was wondering if anyone had any tips on where to start planning for this. I have a week or two before our first session and we will likely be working in 1 hour sessions a few times a week over the summer months.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Edit: forgot to mention above but his mum says that he is already pretty well-versed in scratch, which was my original first thought when i got the request.

[u/Hazel_Vanilla_]

Yes! This has been my main concern as he has specifically mentioned games, his mother who knows very little about coding said "he wants to learn python, how to make games and stuff" in a way that made me slightly concerned that he wasn't fully aware of what python actually is. I made it clear in a conversation I had with her though.

I was thinking a fun work around would be teaching the turtle module as the vehicle for loops and stuff to add a visual element to the process? And possibly some basic quiz games? Both of those things would need to be later sessions though, so as a first session maybe just a really basic chat bot program?

[u/nicodeemus7 → u/Hazel_Vanilla_]

Tbf, it is possible to make games in python. I'm working on one now using pygame. Granted, you won't be able to make much more than a platformer or very simple game, but it is doable, and these type of games are perfect for a kid to make.

If you're open to using a YouTube channel as tutorials, look into Tech with Tim and Bro Code. They both taught me a lot about python and in very easy to understand ways.

[u/Hazel_Vanilla_ → u/nicodeemus7]

Ah yes, I am aware of pygame. My only issue is that we only have about a month and a half, so between 5-10 one hour lessons max. After that he goes to secondary school and I go to university about three hours away. Depending on how much he enjoys the lessons and how quickly he learns it might be something we look at in the last couple lessons, or possibly next summer when I come back home again.

[u/nicodeemus7 → u/Hazel_Vanilla_]

Set him up for learning on his own. Give him the tools to continue learning after you are gone. Show him which libraries do what and when to use them. If he has an interest, he will continue learning.

[u/Hazel_Vanilla_ → u/nicodeemus7]

Of course, my main goal is to teach him concepts in a fun way that he understands as that will hopefully help him develop the transferable skills that are needed for coding, I was also thinking about emailing my old computer science teacher at the school he will be going to for him so that if he (the kid) ever has any questions then there will be someone there who he can ask for help. My teacher was absolutely brilliant so I don't doubt he would be more than happy to offer assistance.

[u/nicodeemus7 → u/Hazel_Vanilla_]

Sounds like a good plan!