1. Prevent syntax errors.

2. Remove the need to type on a keyboard.

3. Remove the need to memorize basic commands.

The kids will eventually need to learn #2, but I think it's great that they can do programming in the interim.

#3 will start to come naturally once you've dragged enough if-else blocks in Scratch. Scratch is an on-ramp.

I will point out btw that Scratch is turing-complete.

The problem is not syntax, the problem is that they're bad at typing on a keyboard.

I suspect it's mostly because the keyboard is too big and stiff...