Kids have busy schedules, especially as the summer months approach, and are already over-burdened with work at school, so it may seem a little unnecessary to find the right time for them to learn to code. But when summer hits, schedules free up and time winds down; coding could be the perfect summer activity for your child!
Coding is no longer the vestige of computer geeks and programmers. Knowing how to code will give your child a very sizable advantage in the working world and furnish them with a set of very helpful skills.
Technology is pervasive and moves at such a rapid rate, that knowing the very language of computers will help your child no matter what career they choose. Here are some good reasons why your children should learn to code.
Better Job Prospects in a Technologically-Savvy Market
There are very few jobs where technology doesn’t play a major role. Learning to code doesn’t necessarily mean your child will become a programmer, but it will mean that they have a skill that is useful in just about every industry.
Knowing how to create bespoke apps, programs, and solutions to everyday problems or the ability to streamline processes will be invaluable to any company.
The Skills to be Innovators
Learning to code will allow your child to be an innovator, to create new ideas and programs. It allows your child to be a leader and opens the door to ingenuity as they are able to find new solutions to existing problems. While your child retains their wild imagination and curiosity, coding gives them the skills to explore and create.
They will learn to create games, apps and tell stories to improve their communication skills.
Problem Solvers
Coding teaches students how to think logically and solve problems. When coding, kids learn to think algorithmically, so coding does help to bolster an interest in math. While building games and apps, students learn to use and develop their technical skills, creativity and communication skills. This kind of ‘whole-brain’ thinking is fundamental to their development.
Students love Coding
Building new apps or games to share with friends is fun for students. Igniting this kind of passion and showing a real-world application will fuel an interest in things that they may not get excited about now like math.
Coding is a fun way to teach your kids the kind of critical and logical thinking that will serve them well in all facets of their lives.
Getting Started
From a very young age, students can utilize the free MIT app, “Scratch.” From the website: “With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share your creations with others in the online community.
Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively; essential skills for life in the 21st century.” You can download Scratch here.
Kodable is a code-writing system for elementary school learners. This complete curriculum helps teachers and tutors to guide students through the fundamentals of coding.