Tag: Holidays

The Best Christmas Gift for Children Under 12

On December 13, 2022

In Charity, Coding, MiniCoders, Parenting, Udemy, Victor Jung

Who invented the Python coding language?

Python is a popular programming language that Guido van Rossum created. Van Rossum began working on Python in the late 1980s, and the first version of the language was released in 1991. Python is named after the British comedy group Monty Python. The language is known for its simple and easy-to-read syntax, making it a popular choice for beginners and experienced programmers. Python is used for many applications, including web development, scientific computing, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. Van Rossum continued to lead the development of Python until 2018 when he stepped down as the language’s Benevolent Dictator for Life.

Is Python a popular software coding language?

Yes, Python is a very popular programming language. It is widely used by professional software developers, as well as by scientists, data analysts, and other users who need a powerful and flexible language for their work. Python is known for its simplicity and readability, which makes it a good language for beginners to learn, as well as for its extensive standard library, which provides tools for a wide range of applications. Python is also a highly extensible language, which means that it can be easily extended with additional libraries and frameworks to support a wide range of use cases. All these factors have contributed to Python’s popularity and widespread adoption.

Why should kids learn to code?

Ultimately, coding helps to strengthen problem-solving skills, which kids can use to overcome their future problems. In addition, computers are built with zeros and ones, and mathematical operations are processed during the coding.

Due to living in an increasingly digitalized world, computer coding is important for kids and students in the future. These transferrable skills enable kids to learn relevant and competitive skills while developing a problem-solving mindset from an early age.

Although the right age to start learning any skill may differ from child to child, the average and safest age for children to start coding are seven. So, it can be concluded that children as young as five can be introduced to the basics of coding, and children as young as seven can start coding.

Since coding is most often used to problem solve, they are happy to show that they understand how best to utilize technology. While there are often varying levels of capabilities, once they grasp this insight, you will often see elegance in how they implement solutions.

Can kids learn how to code while playing?

Of course, do you know the Montessori System, a famous game-based school technique that uses play as a learning method? In the same way, we use the Digital-Metaverse environment to teach kids the basic principles of Coding and Programming while they play an adventure game inside Roblox.

It’s one thing to know how to use a mobile phone or a tablet.

Knowing how exactly they work and which technological principles are at play is another ballgame. Coding helps children realize how processes work “behind the scenes.” By using coding-related software, kids will slowly learn what powers an application, website, or other programs. With these knowledge-building blocks, kids will gradually see the bigger picture and learn how to recognize the poor design, faulty apps, and much more. As a result, they will perceive the world around them entirely differently, with an increased sense of power, control, and competency. Kids who code will understand why something doesn’t work as it should, and they will learn what´s happening beneath the surface of daily tech activities.

For which age range are children best suited for coding?

Generally, experts agree that children should be taught how to code at the earliest age possible. All children develop various skills at different rates and with different learning styles. Still, you can generally start teaching a child the basics of a skill around the age of 5 or 6. The best place to start is by introducing various logical games that simulate the skill of coding. Children can then move on to more demanding exercises.

Several studies have shown that children who code from the beginning of their elementary school education achieve better academic performance. Compared to children who don’t engage in coding-related learning, a higher percentage of children who start coding early gain interest in STEM in college and professionally.

The early elementary years are the best age for a child to be introduced to coding. At this time, kids will use the ideal cognitive stage of development to sow seeds for more complex knowledge as they age and grow. When children are taught logical-thinking skills and adopt a problem-solving mindset, they will comprehend more complex coding concepts later in life. Much like a child who learns a language early and does not retain the language, even those who do not maintain an interest in coding as they age will benefit from understanding basic technology concepts that will enhance other learning and be invaluable to their future success.

What is the first step a parent or care-giver should make?

Like Confuscious the proverb, “A journey begins with the first step”. The first step begins with booking an appointment with a Victor Jung Foundation team member or enrolling for online course at Minicoders or another provider.

Charities to Donate to This Holiday Season

By Victor Jung

On December 6, 2019

In Charity

According to Giving USA, Americans donated more than $400 billion dollars to their favorite charities in 2018. It’s imperative to point out that close to $292 billion dollars came from private donors. Many insiders around the country believe these numbers will increase in 2019.

There are many exceptional charities in need of your donation. However, no one wants to see their money go to a lost cause. Here’s a list of the most popular charities around today. Also, keep in mind that these charities have an exceptional reputation for using donated funds properly.

Action Against Hunger – This charity focuses on feeding homeless citizens and low-income families.

Direct Relief – If you really want to help people dealing with catastrophic losses from storms, you should consider donating to this charity.

Prevent Child Abuse America – If you have a heart for abused kids, this charity should be on your radar.

Fisher House Foundation – This charity helps our beloved veterans. Fisher House Foundation has a solid track record.

Conservation Fund – There are so many things happening in our environment these days. Donating to this charity can help keep our environment intact.

The charities listed above have a good reputation for making wise use of donated funds. However, there are tons of charities around today. It’s not unusual to turn on the television and see news stories about fraudulent charities. This is one of the main reasons why some people are reluctant to make a donation.

It’s important for you to understand that you should not allow fraudulent activity stop you from helping others. Let’s take a close look at a few solid tips that can help you choose a worthy charity.

Do Your Due Diligence

You should do your research before sending your money to a non-profit organization. Check out the organization’s website and coverage in the press. You should also check out the organization’s financial records closely.

List Your Favorite Causes

What are your favorite causes? Make a list of the causes close to your heart. This will help you choose the charities that serve your interests or passion.

Ask Around

Consulting with your family members, friends, and co-workers can help you find a good charity that’s worthy of your money. For example, you may know someone who volunteers at a non-profit that helps teenage runaways. A non-profit organization like this could use your donations to help teens get back on the right track.

Giving USA stated they believe more Americans will give money to charities as time progresses. There are millions of people in need of help. Donating money to a reputable non-profit is a powerful way of helping them.

NYC Food Charities to Donate to This Holiday Season

By Victor Jung

On January 2, 2018

In Charity

If you’re looking for a way to give back during the holiday season, then consider making a donation to one of the many food charities in New York City. Most of the charities in the city offer assistance to families that may be struggling to make ends meet, while also supporting their children. They often provide food and clothing in order to alleviate the stress of perhaps a lower income.

The Museum of Food and Drink (or MOFAD) offers a new perspective on what families eat. The organization has created this walk-through for families to help them learn more about food groups and where food comes from, allowing them to make healthier choices. Wellness In The Schools is an organization that works with the school systems in New York to offer education about food choices as well as ways to stay healthy through exercising. You can sponsor a school or make donations to the salad bar or water program offered by the organization.

City Harvest is an organization that works with restaurants to collect the food that would normally be thrown out at the end of the day. Food that is collected here is then distributed to food banks across the city. Restaurants can get involved by donating foods that they no longer need, or by donating money. Individuals can also donate money to the program.

One of the largest charities in New York is No Kid Hungry. Special events are held throughout the year to raise money to help families and give to food banks. The goal of the organization is to make sure no child in the city goes to bed without a meal. The organization offers meals to children in the summer when school is not in session so that they have something to eat throughout the entire year as well.

GrowNYC is similar to a farmer’s market. Those who are in need can look through the various types of produce that are available, and you can help by donating fresh goods to the program. The organization seeks to work with farmers who can make large donations.

Food Bank For New York City simply provides meals to the people who need food. It could be in the form of a meal that is already made, or the ingredients needed to make a meal at home, thus promoting nutritional education. Citymeals On Wheels is another group that delivers meals to people who may have trouble leaving their homes without assistance, such as those who are disabled or the elderly.

So, if you are looking to give your charitable efforts to an organization that does good in the New York metropolitan area, choose any of the aforementioned food charities. While there are certainly many more to choose from, starting with a list of some of the most well known is the first step in making sure your donation is impactful.

What to Donate During the Holidays

By Victor Jung

On December 4, 2017

In Charity

This time of year often prompts individuals to give more than they would in other calendar months. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other December holidays get us in the giving spirit regardless of what may or may not have. With that said, you do not have to have a six-figure salary in order to make a difference for charities and philanthropic organizations. Get creative. While cash is certainly an acceptable contribution, the following can greatly benefit a wide range of people in need.

Clothes

Homeless shelters, orphanages, and retirement homes are of the most important places to donate clothes this time of year given the steep drop in temperature. Donating articles of clothing you haven’t worn in quite some time is a great way to help out during the holidays. However, make sure they are clean and wearable. Donating a shirt because it is torn is the opposite of doing good.

Food

1 in 6 Americans face hunger on a regular basis. While this statistic should be noted throughout the year, it is highlighted more during the holidays. Some people may not get to experience a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner while a majority of the country spends their time indoors enjoying a hot meal. Donate canned goods to food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens. But, don’t stick to just traditional holiday meals because it happens to be that time of year. Not everyone enjoys canned cranberry sauce. Give a variety of foods like rice, peanut butter, vegetables, fruit, and even a case of bottled water.

Handmade Crafts

This is a great way to save on money yourself, but still give to a good cause. If you are a skilled knitter, sewer, or even welder, donating handmade goods that serve a purpose to those in need can speak volumes to the people receiving them. It shows the time and effort put into doing good. Knitting sweaters or blankets for the homeless or stuffed animals for children is a fun, unique way of giving.

Pet Supplies

Humans aren’t the only creatures in need. Animal shelters across the country often team together during the holidays to promote donations for their causes. Consider sending them pet food, litter, toys, or even cash donations. It can be expensive taking care of a pet, so the more supplies a local pet pantry has for example, the more pets will receive.

Toiletries

Items that seem to be placed on the back burner of donating are those of personal hygiene. No matter what type of organization you may be donating these to, most can benefit greatly from products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, and tissues.