info@realprogramming.com
(877) 307-3456
info@realprogramming.com
(877) 307-3456
Your child just finished their coding class, and suddenly, they’re speaking a new language. Loops. Variables. Collision detection. They're energized, curious, and brimming with ideas. But then the school week picks up. Time gets tight. And little by little, the spark fades.
At Real Programming 4 Kids (RP4K), coding doesn’t stop when class ends. In fact, some of the most valuable learning happens between sessions, when kids take what they’ve learned and make it their own. That’s where confidence is built, and curiosity starts to lead the way.
For over 25 years, we’ve been teaching real programming languages, such as Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, and C++, through something kids already love: video games. Our project-based approach helps students connect coding with creativity, logic with action, and math with meaning. And the more they practice, the more it clicks.
But how do we keep kids engaged between classes?
We’ve developed four strategic tools to help students continue coding outside of scheduled sessions, and each is designed with the same care and clarity that defines our in-class experience.
Game development is more than a fun way to learn, it’s a deeply educational one. Every game mechanic, from character movement to score tracking, is powered by logic, structure, and mathematical thinking. That’s why RP4K uses game projects as the foundation of its curriculum. Students don’t just learn about loops, they use them to create something that moves, jumps, collects, and reacts.
This makes learning both tangible and exciting. And because games inherently involve patterns, structure, and numbers, kids organically explore mathematical concepts while they build.
Every coding language, including Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, and C++—, has its own set of rules. And while syntax is essential, it’s not the first thing we focus on.
We teach kids to approach coding like solving a puzzle. They start by understanding the problem, talking it out, sketching it on a whiteboard. Only after they’ve worked through the logic do they turn that into code.
Sometimes students struggle with syntax but excel at problem-solving. Other times it’s the reverse. The point is, one doesn’t work without the other. When both come together, that’s when confidence soars and independent coding becomes second nature.
There’s a quote from Carl Friedrich Gauss, a German Mathematician and Physicist (1777 to 1855), that continues to shape our teaching philosophy: “What we need are notions, not notations.”
Syntax in programming is a lot like notation in math. You can teach a child how to write code, just as you can show them the symbols of a mathematical formula. But if they don’t understand the underlying idea, the “why” behind the “how”, it doesn’t stick. According to Gauss, it is important to put notions ahead of notation.
Around 1784, a German schoolteacher asked his class to complete the monotonous task of adding the first 100 numbers. To everyone’s surprise, a 7-year-old student named Carl Friedrich Gauss quickly came up with the correct total: 5050.
He had spotted a clever pattern. Instead of adding the numbers in order, Carl paired them, starting with the first and last (1 + 100), then the second and second last (2 + 99), the third and third last (3 + 98), and so on.
This pattern is illustrated as follows.
Let’s see this “notion” again when adding up numbers from 1 to 10.
1+2+...+10
10+9+...+1
When the summation is written down backwards and the corresponding pairs are added together, we see that they already add up to 11.
This happens 10 times. 10 x 11 = 110.
But 110 represents twice the original sum.
So, the original sum must be 110 / 2 = 55.
Try summing the numbers from 1 to 20 by using the following table.
1+2+3+…+20
20+19+18+…+1
Answer: The sum of the first 20 integers is 21 x 20 / 2 = 210.
A lot of kids (aged 11 and up) will quickly understand the aforementioned “notion” of adding up these sequences of integers.
But it would be a mistake to immediately overload them with the following abstract “sigma” notation!
Notation:
So 110 represents twice the sum of the integers from 1 to 10.
Therefore the sum of the integers from 1 to 10 is 110/2 = 55.
The “notion” of adding up the first 10, 20, 100 or 1000 integers by writing the series backwards underneath the original series can be quickly understood by most kids, aged 11 years and up.
But it would be a mistake to conclude that they don’t understand adding up arithmetic sequences just because they don’t yet have the mathematical maturity to handle sigma notation.
Notions should come before notation!
Ultimately, mastering the notation comes with practice, once a child understands the notions. It would be a mistake to jump straight to sigma notation before a child grasps that insight. Similarly, it’s a mistake to focus purely on programming syntax before developing logical thinking.
At RP4K, we put notions first. Syntax follows. And with practice, it all comes together.
We’ve put time and energy into developing meaningful homework that extends the work done in class. These exercises, available on our Canvas platform, help students revisit, apply, and expand on what they’re learning in a way that encourages independent thinking.
This isn’t about rote repetition. It’s about reinforcing logic, experimenting with variations, and developing mastery through consistent practice. Homework gives students space to try, retry, and refine their work in a low-pressure setting.
For parents, it’s reassuring to know the assignments are thoughtfully built by RP4K instructors to align with the game projects their children are already working on, and the impact goes beyond just coding. According to Joyce L. Epstein of Johns Hopkins School of Education, well-designed homework can also strengthen parent-child interactions, giving families a window into what their children are learning and encouraging collaborative engagement at home.
When homework is meaningful and connected to real learning, as it is at RP4K, it reinforces skills, while building bridges between students, families, and the learning process..
Every online RP4K session is recorded and stored on the Canvas platform, where students can return to key lessons or review an entire class at their own pace. This is particularly valuable for students who learn best through repetition or who want to go deeper into a concept.
If a student missed a step, misunderstood a mechanic, or wants to replicate an effect on their own, the recording lets them follow along again. Pause, play, code, repeat: it’s a resource built for reinforcement.
Sometimes kids need a creative nudge. That’s where Game Jams come in.
A Game Jam is a fast-paced, themed coding challenge where students are given a surprise topic and a short window to create their own game around it. It’s a fun, focused way to practice what they’ve learned, while adding in a sense of excitement and personal expression.
Our first Game Jam took place from Saturday, March 15 to Sunday, March 16, 2025. The theme was only revealed at the start, which encouraged students to think quickly, collaborate where possible, and code independently.
It worked. Kids were energized, engaged, and coding on their own, exactly what we hoped to inspire.
More Game Jams are coming during our Winter/Spring 2025 session, and even more will take place during our Summer 2025 online coding camps. These events are completely free for enrolled students. It’s the perfect way to extend the learning experience.
The aim is simple: get kids coding independently. During the event, instructors and volunteers are available to provide support, but the real goal is to encourage students to think, experiment, and build on their own terms.
If you’re wondering what kind of impact summer coding can have, it goes far beyond just technical skills. RP4K camps are designed to foster independent thinking, creativity, and leadership skills kids carry into school and life. Explore how our coding camps help build leadership in young learners.
Students registered in any of our Summer 2025 Coding, AI, or Applied Math camps will be eligible to participate in these FREE Game Jam events. This is an added bonus designed to deepen the learning experience while keeping things fun and flexible.
We’ll be announcing exact Game Jam dates and times in the coming weeks, but what’s certain is this: if your child is enrolled in a Summer 2025 RP4K camp, they’re invited to join.
Even better, families who register and pay in full before April 30, 2025, will receive our 15% Super Coder Discount on any 1-to-3-week summer coding, AI, or applied math camp.
These Game Jams are more than just a fun weekend, they’re a chance to reinforce problem-solving skills, boost confidence, and keep kids building between classes.
Launching in Fall 2025, we’re introducing structured Problem-Solving Time Slots to help students focus specifically on coding logic, critical thinking, and debugging.
These optional sessions will feature challenges that complement the in-class game projects. The idea is to develop students’ ability to solve problems independently, with just enough support to guide their progress. Solving problems on their own, even with minor instructor help, is one of the best ways to build lasting confidence.
There will be a small fee for participation, but for students who are ready to push their thinking further, these sessions will be a game-changer.
For others, joining a free Game Jam may be the perfect way to ease into independent work.
Not every child will be ready to code independently right away. That’s okay. Progress isn’t linear. Sometimes, a student is growing in their problem-solving skills but still struggles with syntax. That doesn’t mean they aren’t learning, it means they’re laying the groundwork for future success.
With the right balance of structure, creativity, and support, kids start to code for themselves. They build confidence. They ask better questions. And they begin to see their own potential.
That’s what we’re here to nurture.
Whether your child is reviewing a class recording, completing a homework assignment, jumping into a Game Jam, or joining us this fall for a Problem-Solving Time Slot, RP4K is here to help them grow.
We’re not just teaching code. We’re building thinkers.
Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation assessment class. It’s the first step in discovering your child’s potential, and giving them the tools to build something incredible.
We look forward to teaching your child in our Winter/Spring 2025 classes, Summer 2025 online coding camps, and the exciting Game Jams still to come.
Let’s keep that coding spark alive.
