Playing with codes

If you ask seven-year-old Leena what she loves to do most, you might not get an answer you are expecting. Simply because what Leena enjoys doing is programming. Yes, you heard that right. When the children of her age are expected to master alphabets and numbers, Leena, a student of Oxford School, Kozhikode, dreams of excelling in the world of programming.

This passionate little software programmer has already developed a website all by herself for kindergarten students. The passion bloomed in her with the prodigious encouragement of her Kasargod-based parents  Muhammad Rafeeq and Fathimath Thahira, both working in the IT field. It was Leena’s mother, a programmer, who introduced her to the realm of codes and programming.

“It was always like magic for her when she sees me working with codes. One day, she asked me if I could teach them to her. Leena being a quick learner, I decided to teach her about HTML through an online tutorial website, which she grasped surprisingly well,” Tahira says. Puzzles, books and codes mesmerise this young developer more than dolls and teddy bears.

“We are against the strict curriculum that the present education systems follow. We believe that every kid is wonderful. With the right encouragement and support, all kids can create wonders. We will support our kids as long as we can,” Tahira adds.

Like any other software developer, Leena knows the basics of programming as well as HTML, CSL etc, something that kids begin to study only when they reach their 8th grade. Presently learning JavaScript and IOS, she has already learnt how to use Mac and other operating systems along with their shortcuts. It took less than sixth months for Leena to develop her own website that includes study materials for kids of her age.

“She wants to be a robotic scientist someday. What we follow is a brainy approach involving everyday life situations to teach her calculations and other basics, which I believe is more effective than the regular school textbooks,” Tahira adds.

Another hobby that Leena has recently developed is hula hooping, in which a large ring is placed around one’s waist and is whirled around with it. She learned it by herself without any training. Leena has managed to dance with it for more than 23 minutes without losing the balance, a duration that is extraordinary to be witnessed from someone of her age.

“My dream is to make a robot ship and fly in it to Neptune,” Leena says.

Why Neptune and not any other planet? “Because Neptune has my favorite colour blue,” the child prodigy eagerly replies.