Computer programming for kids is becoming more popular among children. Given how reliant society has grown on technology (particularly in recent years), it should come as no surprise that an increasing number of individuals are becoming interested in this unreachable talent and wondering: could I learn that?
Parents are particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of their children learning to code, with one recent survey revealing that 90 percent of parents in the United States would want coding for children to be included in curriculums.
And, after all, why not? Learning how to code at an early age may set your kid up for a career of success in the computer industry. Increasingly, children feel comfortable with the notion of taking additional courses via online coding academies and programs, thanks to the widespread acceptance of online learning.
In this tutorial, we’ll go over the advantages of coding for kids, the facts behind it, and why this specific brand of computer skills is so critical right now in our society.
What is Coding?
Coding (also known as programming) is a creative process carried out by computer programmers. They instruct a computer or machine on how to accomplish a particular job or function. It entails the creation of executable scripts in computer programming languages such as Java or Python.
Some people consider coding to be a method of interacting with computers. Computers are programmed to carry out the instructions given to them by their programmers. People who know how to code (i.e., coders, programmers, and developers) may produce interactive digital content such as games, applications, computer software, websites, and interactive digital content for television and the internet.
How do I teach my child how to code?
Young brains are flexible and adaptable so that they can learn quickly. They have a remarkable ability to acquire and remember information rapidly. In addition, children who are introduced to computer programming at an early age gain valuable skills such as critically evaluating problems and investigating various viewpoints while constructing innovative solutions and executing the trial-and-error process of learning. The sooner children learn how to code, the simpler it will be for them all to perfect this skill—and all of the other abilities that coding promotes due to their experience. Coding for kids fosters logic, understanding, and critical thinking skills in young people.
According to many recent research findings, there is a favourable relationship between computer programming and cognitive abilities. As a consequence of the study, students who understood how to code usually scored better on cognitive ability tests than students who had next to no programming expertise, the findings revealed. In addition, according to MIT research, computer programming may be beneficial for cognitive growth.
Students learning to code are taught how to break down complicated issues into smaller, more manageable parts to create functioning scripts, which are then executed by the computer. This procedure is referred to as decomposition, and it is a vital ability that youngsters will find very helpful whenever they are faced with real-life difficulties.
It doesn’t stop with decomposition, however. Because coding and problem-solving are both approaches to problem-solving, children who code have an edge in developing this ability.
The problem-solving method becomes familiar to children as they learn to code, and eventually, they feel comfortable with it. After becoming accustomed to creating, rewriting, analyzing, and debugging hundreds of thousands of lines of code, it becomes habitual for them to cycle through the processes and execute them correctly.
Several Reasons Why Children Should Learn Computer Programming
Coding helps students concentrate and be more creative.
As a result of the technical nature of computer programming, many people do not associate it with creative thinking. This is particularly true considering how systematic and procedural the process of coding can be. However, programmers are all too familiar with the fact that coding may stimulate creativity. It is true that when programming from Scratch, a certain amount of original thought is needed.
Consider this: children who know how to code may create applications, games, animations, websites, and various other things. Their imaginations serve as the blueprint for the interactive content they create. They can create interactive features by writing down lines of the existing system (or snapping together some blocks, given that block coding is a good coding model for kids), but they create the actual blueprint for that content.
When children learn to code, the way they interact with digital media and information changes dramatically. Every time kids check out new software or play a new video game, they have the potential to get inspiration for their invention. Imagine that you’re playing an online combat game, and you’re thinking: what if it were an adventure game instead? And, thanks to their technical expertise, they may be able to turn this hypothetical into a reality.
They can use coding as a legitimate avenue for their free thinking. Some children like drawing. Some children perform with an instrument or sing. Some children know how to code.
And with this degree of creativity comes a certain amount of concentration as well. See, when children create a program, they must examine all elements of it to produce the code that corresponds to the program.
As an example, consider the process of creating a video game. Children will be required to write code to make a character move forward, backward, and perhaps even sideways. They’ll have to create code for the character to leap or avoid obstacles. Also necessary is for them to examine how a character interacts with the world and then create code that accounts for all possible outcomes resulting from that interaction.
There’s a lot to take into consideration. If kids lack the necessary concentration and organization, they may wind up many coding errors or filler into their script instead.
Coding instills confidence and resilience in its users.
Everyone who has tried their hand at coding (or even just watched someone code) has at least a vague understanding of how precise it can be, especially when it comes to text-based coding! Block coding is a bit more forgiving, while text-based coding requires flawless syntax execution. One misplaced comma or semicolon is enough to make a script completely ineffective.
Inevitably, as their scripts get more complex, children will become familiar with the time-consuming process of writing, running, debugging, rewriting, and re-running the code they have written. This is unlike anything else in terms of teaching patience and rewarding perseverance.
Furthermore, children who code tend to grow more confident and secure in their choices compared to children who do not code. Constructing effective, functional scripts may be very tough—and this is made much more difficult when you are constantly second-guessing yourself.
As a result, young programmers grow to be confident in and comfortable with their choices. This group’s capacity to bounce back after numerous failures is inspirational, and the confidence that ultimately develops in them spills over into many other aspects of their lives (both social and personal).
Why is teaching your child to code a good investment in their future?
Due to our society’s increasing reliance on technology and the internet, the need for skilled programmers and developers is increasing at an exponential rate. Programming is no longer a specialized talent reserved for companies in the technology industry.
Education, banking, health, and retail are all professions that need a certain degree of programming expertise, despite seeming to be far from the technology industry on the surface. Kids who know how to code have a distinct advantage over their classmates who do not have the same level of technical knowledge.
As an example of this, take the following career statistics to ponder:
- According to a 2016 study of the labor market, occupations that needed coding abilities earned $22,000/year more than those that did not require coding skills.
- According to the same employment market study, general programming positions increased at a rate that was 12 percent quicker than the whole market.
- In the opinion of marketing professionals, candidates who have a fundamental knowledge of how programming languages operate have a distinct advantage over those who do not.
- In a recent announcement, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced a pilot program to successfully push coding into the curriculum at New Hampshire public schools.
- JavaScript, HTML, R and SAS, and AutoCAD are among the programming languages that are in great demand.
As you can see, coding is slowly but steadily becoming a natural talent that many companies want in applicants, regardless of their job title or career aspirations. It’s the same as computer literacy. Back in the day, when computers were monstrous devices that took up half of a room, knowing how to use one required a very particular skill set that not many people possessed—and that was OK with the individuals who did. Now?
If you don’t know how to write and send a basic email, you’re not going to go very far in your search for new employment possibilities.
Coding is the new computer literacy, and it is becoming more popular. Many companies and technical recruiters believe that candidates familiar with the fundamentals of coding stand out from the crowd. They are more likely to be considered over their counterparts who do not have the same level of expertise. Furthermore, when basic programming becomes a needed skillset (under the umbrella term of computer literacy), children who already possess the necessary foundations will have no difficulty adjusting.
Even when not considered in the context of future professions and job prospects, children who code will find it simpler to stay up in an increasingly dominated world by artificial intelligence and technology. Websites, apps, smart gadgets, and innovative technology—are things that the ordinary person can no longer function without. And they are all heavily reliant on programming to operate correctly. A growing number of experts in the United Kingdom think that programming languages will one day be considered as important as human language is now.
It will be simpler for your kid to navigate their environment in the future if they have adequate coding abilities in their arsenal.
How Can You Interest Your Child to Take an Interest in Coding?
If your kid is already interested in computer programming, coding, and game/app creation, you won’t have to do much convincing to persuade them to pursue a career in this field. Finding coding classes online that you and your partner can both agree on would be the most difficult part (in terms of budget, curriculum, schedule, and so on). However, if your child does not seem to be interested in computer science or other STEM topics, there are a few things you may do to spark their interest:
Pair These With Their Current Interest
We stated before that coding may be gamified to engage younger audiences. Similar ideas may pique your kids’ interest in coding because coding is so flexible. Here are some methods to include coding for kids into hobbies:
Robots. I can guarantee that if your child likes robots, they’ll be interested in coding. Many coding kits for youngsters include a programmable robot.
Building. LEGO is still one of the finest toys for aspiring builders. Their ability to anticipate and fulfill consumer demand for LEGO kit themes and ideas is astounding.
Drawing/Painting. Introduce animation tools to your child if they like sketching. So, kids may use Scratch to create interactive tales, games, and animations using Scratch’s block-based programming language. Kids may customize their creations by uploading their backgrounds and characters (Sprites).
Games for mobile. Kids who like computer and smartphone games may want to create their own. Popular computer games like Minecraft and Roblox teach fundamental programming skills to avid players.
Coding with Them. While independence may be very gratifying, many children prefer to accompany their parents on new adventures. It’s easier to learn new things when you’re surrounded by individuals you trust. If your child is reluctant to learn to code, why not learn together? Even if you aren’t very tech-savvy, this might be a wonderful chance to learn!
Socialize it. Considering the present worldwide epidemic, try making coding classes a communal activity. For example, you might organize a “Community Coding” session with instructors and other parents. Or discover online coding schools that provide private group courses for your kids and their pals. Kids prefer to share interests with their peers to avoid feeling “left out.” Having a network of other programmers may inspire social butterflies to keep learning and practicing.
Coding Apps and Coding Games
If you read this far, you probably wonder where you can get your child these coding materials and games? We, Coding for kids Toronto have a huge library of fun and interactive coding games for kids. With the help of our trained and professional staff, we have compiled coding classes for different levels in Java, Python, C++, Scratch, and many more.
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