"Mommy, what is an algorithm?" "Daddy, what is code? And why does your computer screen always look so dark?" As developers, we understand the power of knowing how to code and getting the computer to do what we want it to do. Now that AI has also taken over, it seems that there are endless opportunities for the creative things we can do with software. But how do we pass on this excitement to the next generation? How can we get our children, and our girls in particular, interested in coding and explain what we do at work in a language they understand?

I have been contemplating these questions for the past few years with my own son, and suddenly it dawned on me that it’s all a matter of "knowing your audience." I developed an introductory coding workshop for kids and presented it at my son's school. The result? They were all hooked. My 8-year-old even followed up with questions about the efficiency of using functions and loops.

If you're curious about how to share this excitement with the next generation, get a chance for real bonding with your kid, and also remind yourself of the awesome, creative, and fun things you can do with code, this talk is for you. I'll share the concepts and examples I used, explain how to tailor them to different ages (toddlers included!), and offer tips and tricks to really move the needle. Join me in exploring how we can make coding an adventure, and re-discover its joy together.