You're mistaken I think. Computers essentially process numbers, and even though they are okay for building abstractions, they invariably end up leaking. The complexity in programming is not in the language used to describe it, it's in the details of actually making it work. Syntax is generally irrelevant and only exists to make things easier to read. Also jargon like "String" is actually a holdover from formal logic (so analytic philosophy!).
Also,
"There will always be things we wish to say in our programs that in all known languages can only be said poorly. " -- Alan Perlis
I completely agree with the fact that syntax is irrelevant. What's really key in coding is getting the core concepts down, like variables, control flow, methods, classes, etc. To me, if a kid can understand what a variable is and what a value is, that's awesome, I don't care what language it is. Once they pick up the fundamentals they can go and teach themselves whatever language they want.
Fair point on "string," though i never really encountered it, i opened up an old goldfarb book, and it's not in the index, but it looks like it is used in my old enderton "mathematical introduction to logic," so, again, fair point. I think "statement" would be a better term, maybe.
yeah I wondered about string myself, I don't see how a child could get "strings". I think they would get "letters" or "words" or even "text". That's why I just didn't get into strings, I just let them type stuff and see the result of what they were typing in the simulator which was thrilling. And when it came to teaching variables I went with int's. Even that was a long shot. I just went with "it's just a number" and I think that should be sufficient for lesson #1 :)
Also, "There will always be things we wish to say in our programs that in all known languages can only be said poorly. " -- Alan Perlis