I think I was more like 7. It was actually better when I was a kid, because my first computer ( Atari 800XL ) had a built in BASIC interpreter and some simple programming instruction in the manual. So you just started typing code and seeing what happened.
These days, things are massively better and worse. There is so much choice and much better tools, but... there is so much choice!
I actually think 5 is a bit young, but I did put together a guide for parents to get their kids started in gamedev. There are programs like Scratch and Alice that are purpose made for teaching kids how to program. This guide goes through many of the options, the strengths/weakness, etc.
I got into computers later as I was in 5th or 6th grade when I got to use the first computer (well unless you count wrist watches). I fondly remember rushing to the computer lab on our free days and hoping to get one of the few copies of Oregon Trail to play. I didn't learn programming until 7th and 8th grades when I was required to learn BASIC. Started learning C++ freshman year of high school, but didn't start dabbling with other languages until after I graduated high school in 2000. So, nope, I didn't learn to program or doe much with computers until I was older.
I have heard a lot of stories that this programmer and that programmer started programming in fortran or some other language at the age of 5-7. How?
I told a three year old that I would teach her programming when she is 5. She says, "I am five." So I let her type her name on my laptop (Input and Output).
Were you hacking calculators at that age?
I am way behind myself. I started this venture 2 years ago.
There are even programmers that are teaching their children programming. How?
This is for my learning as well as my teaching.
UK is introducing coding as mandatory in secondary schools (age 11-16) and some offer it in primary schools (4-10)
Mobile Developer at PawPrint Games ltd.
(Not "mobile" as in I move around a lot, but as in phones, mobile phone developer)
(Although I am mobile. no, not as in a babies mobile, I move from place to place)
I think that is a good idea dsm1891. I too think it should be part of the curriculum. Game development can encompass knowledge of all studies from math to science to art.
Early programming is about tinkering and exposure. It isn't about programming amazing stuff at an early age, but just about getting ahead of the curve.
Python and pygame can be good. Or logo. Or scratch. Anything interactive.
As for me...
I took my first Applesoft Basic class in summer session after 1st grade (age 6?, 1980), and repeated the same class a year later where i started to "get" it. Having computers at home from my dad's work (ti99, msdos pc) with just simple games was a major help - todays games are too amazing and engaging.
Age 6-12, Tinkered around on a TI99 at home until i got a //c. I wrote a scripted animation, a bad ascii tank game, and a baseball card inventory manager. And read alot about programming over my head.
In 6th grade (age 12), i taught myself the basics of 6502 assembler and worte ACOS/MACOS mods for Apple BBSs. I also learned a little visual C on my dads PC. I also got my first modem (age 15, 1989).
In 10th grade i was gifted a pc clone 386, and started genuinely programming in C for msdos. Learned some vms and unix.
Because i was ahead of the curve, I was offered a unique programming opportunity with my high school which led to a unique programming job. Learned Obj-C / nextstep in a class. Co authored a 30k line msdos/C BBS at age 17 and started selling it.
Studied CompE for college.. And then the real career started.
Until i coauthored the bbs in high school, i had hardly written any software. It was just about learning enough to do something, remain interested, and help me take the next step.
