10-year-old boy nurtures passion for programming

Sharing his secret to achieving such outstanding results, Bao Khiem candidly said: “It’s the result of nearly a year of diligent studying and the support of my father, as well as dedicated assistance from my teachers. I competed in category D1, where the exam required software development, game building, and product functional expansion. Throughout the exam preparation process, I mainly studied at home with my father, focusing on writing software, programming functions, and building small games. My teachers provided me with past exam papers for reference and practice, familiarizing me with the structure and requirements of the actual exam.”

With his innovative "Fun Vietnamese Learning for Grade 1" software, Khiem excelled, surpassing many competitors to win first prize nationwide. In the recent national exam, the time allotted was 150 minutes, and Khiem completed his paper about three minutes before the deadline. Although slightly nervous upon receiving the exam paper, he maintained his confidence by carefully reading the questions and regularly saving his answers to prevent technical issues. He paid particular attention to the bullet points – the key points that determine the success of the exam.

Bao Khiem received guidance and direction from his father when programming his new game product. Photo: PHUONG LAN

Bao Khiem's passion for computer science began very early. At just 3 years old, he was captivated by robot movies and dreamed of becoming a robot maker. His father, Tran Van Teo (born in 1983), residing in Binh Duc ward, created suitable software to introduce Khiem to robot programming from the age of 5-6. By the age of 6-7, Khiem was exploring new programming software on his own. In the third grade, he participated in the provincial-level youth computer science competition for the first time and won second prize. From then on, the desire to conquer more challenging programming tasks motivated the young student to dedicate more time to practicing each day.

Winning first prize in category D1 of the 2025 National Youth Informatics Competition (while still in 4th grade) was a huge motivation, bringing Bao Khiem indescribable joy and pride. In the competition, most contestants were 5th graders, with only a few 4th graders like Khiem participating. His parents were always there to encourage him, never putting pressure on him, only hoping he would try his best, because they believed that "perseverance pays off." Bao Khiem's father, a software engineer working for a company in the US, shared that he never forced his son to study. Bao Khiem's passion stemmed from his natural curiosity after watching his father work.

Mr. Teo shared: “Seeing my son's interest, I created opportunities for him to be exposed to programming in a way that is appropriate for his age. Teaching children programming early not only helps them develop creative and logical thinking but also cultivates patience and problem-solving skills.” Bao Khiem also affirmed: “Learning programming is very beneficial. Being good at programming will help me solve problems faster. I am nurturing a dream of going to America to study and build robots.”

Bao Khiem's game products are all well-developed with features such as lessons, review sessions, practice exercises, and diverse themed games, helping to hone programming skills for himself and other children. Throughout this journey, he has always had the companionship, guidance, and support of his father. Bao Khiem affirms that his passion for computer science was inspired by his father, but his exploration and discovery stem from his own initiative.

Ms. Pham Thi Kim Tuyen, Bao Khiem's homeroom teacher (in 4th grade), shared: “Bao Khiem has been an outstanding student for many years. What impresses me most about him is his politeness, friendliness, and kindness. Khiem is intelligent and academically gifted, but he is not arrogant at all; on the contrary, he is very humble. If a classmate needs academic support, Khiem is always ready to volunteer. In addition, Khiem actively participates in the school's sports and physical education activities. Winning first prize in the National Young Informatics Competition, category D1, is a source of pride for him and the school. I hope he will continue to develop and maintain this achievement.”

PHUONG LAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cau-be-10-tuoi-ap-u-niem-dam-me-lap-trinh-a461191.html