I was wrong to make beginners memorize code before building anything
I used to insist that new coders should memorize all the basic syntax like loops and variables first. I thought it was the best way to learn, similar to memorizing math formulas. But then I saw people lose interest quickly because it felt boring and pointless. For instance, a friend I taught got frustrated just writing print statements for days without a real goal. Now I believe beginners should jump into a simple project, like a basic calculator or a todo list, even if they don't understand every line at first. Getting something to work on screen makes learning fun and shows progress. That hands-on approach keeps them coding instead of quitting, which is what really matters.