🆘 Ask an Adult for Help - Tips for Getting Programming Help

It's Normal to Need Help! 👥​

Important: Even adult programmers ask for help every single day! Programming is like learning a new language, and it's totally normal to get confused or stuck sometimes.

Who Can Help You? 🤔​

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Members​

• Parents or guardians: They might not know programming, but they can help you think through problems
• Older siblings: Especially if they've taken computer classes
• Relatives who work with computers: Aunts, uncles, cousins in tech jobs

🏫 School People​

• Computer teachers: They know programming and how to explain it to kids
• Math teachers: Programming uses a lot of logical thinking like math
• Librarians: They can help you find programming books and resources

🌐 Online Communities (With Adult Supervision)​

• Scratch community: Great for young programmers
• Khan Academy: Has programming courses with help forums
• Code.org: Designed specifically for kids learning programming

What to Say When Asking for Help 🗣️​

Instead of saying "It doesn't work!" try to be more specific:

❌ Not Helpful:​

• "My code is broken!"
• "Nothing works!"
• "I don't get it!"

✅ Much Better:​

• "I'm trying to make my program say 'Hello' but it says 'Error' instead"
• "I followed the tutorial but my calculator adds wrong - it says 2+2=5"
• "I don't understand what a 'variable' is - can you explain it using something I know?"

How to Get Better Help 🎯​

1. Show Your Work 📋​

• Let the adult see your code on the screen
• Explain what you were trying to do
• Show them what happened instead

2. Ask Specific Questions ❓​

• "What does this error message mean?"
• "Why do I need to use parentheses here?"
• "Can you help me understand loops using a real-life example?"

3. Be Patient ⏰​

• Adults might need time to understand the problem
• They might need to research the answer
• It's okay if they don't know everything immediately

When Adults Don't Know Programming 🤷​

That's Okay! They Can Still Help:​

🧠 Thinking Through Problems​

Adult: "Let's break this big problem into smaller pieces. What's the first thing your program needs to do?"

📚 Finding Resources​

Adult: "I don't know Python, but let's look up 'Python for kids' together and find a good explanation."

🔍 Debugging Detective Work​

Adult: "Let's look at each line of code and see if we can spot what's different from the example."

💪 Encouragement​

Adult: "This is challenging! Let's take a break and try again in a few minutes."

Online Safety When Getting Help 🛡️​

✅ Safe Ways to Get Help:​

• Use educational websites like Khan Academy or Code.org
• Ask questions on kid-friendly programming forums (with adult supervision)
• Watch programming tutorial videos on YouTube (with adult approval)

❌ Avoid These:​

• Sharing personal information when asking for help online
• Meeting strangers who offer to help with programming
• Using adult programming forums without supervision

Questions Adults Might Ask You 🤓​

Be ready to answer:

1. "What programming language are you learning?"

   • Answer: "Python" or "Java" or "Rust" etc.

2. "What were you trying to make your program do?"

   • Answer: "I wanted it to add two numbers" or "I wanted to make a guessing game"

3. "What error message did you see?"

   • Answer: Read the exact error message or show it on screen

4. "Did you follow a tutorial or book?"

   • Answer: Show them which tutorial or page you were following

Tips for Different Programming Languages 💻​

🐍 Python Help​

• Python error messages are usually pretty clear
• Show adults the exact line that's highlighted in red
• Python is popular, so many adults have heard of it

☕ Java Help​

• Java errors can look scary but adults can help you focus on the important parts
• Explain that Java is "like LEGO blocks" if adults aren't familiar

⚡ C++ Help​

• C++ is more advanced - you might need help from someone who knows programming
• Don't worry if it seems harder than other languages

🦀 Rust Help​

• Rust error messages are very helpful and detailed
• The Rust compiler is like a friendly teacher that guides you
• Adults can help by reading the error messages with you

What If You're Still Stuck? 🤯​

Take a Break! 🌴​

Sometimes your brain needs rest. Come back to the problem later with fresh eyes.

Try a Different Approach 🔄​

If one tutorial doesn't make sense, try finding a different one that explains it differently.

Start Smaller 🐣​

If your project is too big, try making a simpler version first.

Remember: It's Not Your Fault! 💙​

Programming is genuinely difficult. If you're struggling, it doesn't mean you're not smart enough.

Encouraging Words for When You're Frustrated 😤​

Remember:​

• Every expert programmer was once exactly where you are now
• Making mistakes is how you learn (even adults make LOTS of programming mistakes!)
• Some days programming feels easy, some days it feels impossible - that's normal
• You're learning a skill that will be useful your whole life
• It's okay to take breaks and come back later

Ready to Get Back to Learning? 🚀​

Now that you know how to get help, go back to your tutorial and remember:

• It's okay to ask questions
• Everyone learns at their own pace
• Making mistakes is part of learning
• You've got this! 💪

Go back to: Python Tutorial | Java Tutorial | C++ Tutorial | Rust Tutorial