Coding becomes child’s play as young minds create array of apps

PANAJI: While most would have expected children to binge-watch TV or play mobile games to get through the Covid-induced lockdown, several had, in fact, used the extra time to hone their coding skills through online courses. Today, these pre-teen techies flaunt an array of apps and games that they’ve created all by themselves.
Ananya Naik, 10, was about five-years-old when she began attending coding classes, but her interest only piqued during the lockdown after she realised that courses were available online. This Manovikas School student has developed two gaming apps: Corona Dodge –– an entertaining way to make children aware of outdoor hygiene during Covid-19 –– and Kill Corona Quiz, which tests children’s knowledge on outdoor hygiene.
“There are hardly any girls in India who can code. I keep trying to get other girls to join me since very few are interested,” she said.
Nine-year-old Vedant Abhyankar is one of the youngest to have built a hand-washing app and ‘Lockdown Game,’ in which the important message of wearing masks is conveyed in a fun way. “I just want to build apps that can change the world.” he said.
It was the ban on Chinese apps that spurred Swayam Kakodkar, 12, to create indigenous technologies.
“I learnt to make an MIT app and am also learning Python coding language,” the Manovikas School student said. Although he was upset about a robotics competition being cancelled due to the pandemic, Kakodkar is happy that the PUBG gaming app has been banned. He intends to build a similar interface after he gains expertise in coding.
Shounak Hede, a 11-year-old student of Sharada Mandir School, attributes his interest in coding to motivation from his engineer father. “I am impressed by his knowledge and problem-solving abilities,” said Hede, who has developed a few gaming apps, links of which he shares with his friends to download and play. “I would initially only play games online, but now I can create them by myself,” he said.
In app development courses, students learn the basics of coding apps and games for smartphones. They are trained in writing code besides developing and designing their very own apps.
“During the lockdown, I learnt AppInventor, which helps me build mobile apps. Artificial Intelligence helps me code mobile apps that can perform smart tasks and other coding skills. Some of my apps have been uploaded to Google Play,” said 11-year-old Sai Pranav, a student of Sharada Mandir School, who dreams of studying in MIT some day.
Venkatesh Dempo, 10, also a student of Sharada Mandir School, went a step further and started his own YouTube channel to showcase his apps while also teaching the skill to other children. “My friends often share their feedback with me and accordingly I make changes in the apps to enhance their features. I will soon launch my apps on Google Play,” he said.