The Importance of Coding for Young Minds
In today’s digital era, mastering coding has become essential for all. The emergence of smart technology, such as augmented reality, intelligent vehicles, advanced computing, and automated systems, underscores the critical importance of comprehending computer programming. Despite the challenging learning curve that comes with coding and other fields in information technology, there are numerous reasons to acquaint your child with these futuristic technologies. Here are some advantages of educating young individuals in the art of coding.
Boosts Problem-Solving Skills
Programming has a lot of similarities with math. Teaching your kids coding basics will enable them to appreciate how various things work. By learning to code, kids understand how complex problems can be solved creatively and logically, which is beneficial for growing minds. Everybody wants their kids to be great problem solvers, as the ability to solve problems is a useful general life skill that can help kids along with their life.
Fosters Logical Rationalization
Computer programming stimulates the rational part, which is the left-hand side of the brain. This part of the brain is used for sequencing, linear thinking, and application of logic to various situations. However, children principally use the right side to solve problems through intuition, visualization, and imagination. Learning to code teaches kids how to use structures, instructions, and systematic ways of viewing things. This inspires kids to view situations differently.
It Teaches Kids How to Think
Learning to code also teaches kids how to think. Programming goes beyond writing lines of codes. It also involves teaching kids how they can think differently. To code effectively, programmers should apply logical thinking. This requires them to identify large problems and break them down into small pieces that can be solved effectively. This fosters computational thinking.
Kids learning to code should take an idea and creatively come up with an effective solution. If the solutions don’t work at first, they should find other creative alternatives until they identify a working solution.
Kids Will Have Fun With Math
Coding has a lot of similarities with math. Therefore, by teaching coding in schools, kids learn how to organize and analyze data by association. As such, they grow their math skills indirectly as they learn how to code. Using calculations and logical skills to create something fulfilling makes coding and math fun and engaging.
Coding Fosters Collaboration
While kids can be taught programming individually, most preschool and elementary coding lessons are taught in a group. Kids learn alongside other children of different races, gender, and background. These lessons enable them to collaborate by creating things together, sharing their thoughts, or asking questions amongst their peers towards a common interest.
Coding Improves Communication
Communication is an important skill for kids as they attend school, later at work, and other aspects of life. Anyone who can communicate difficult ideas simply often turns out successful in their industries and different walks of life. As mentioned, programming enables kids to break down complex ideas into simple tasks that computers can understand. This enables programmers to communicate also in simple languages that everyone can understand.
It Helps Children Develop Resilience
Kids also learn to preserver as they learn to code. Coding involves various trials and failures, and kids should be encouraged never to give up but instead bounce back until they succeed in whatever they were doing. Coding involves writing codes and debugging them until they create successful commands. Through this, kids learn that failing isn’t bad and should only be a learning opportunity.
Coding is Another Language
Languages enable children to communicate and instill logical thinking. Languages also enhance verbal and written skills. If possible, kids should be taught many languages at a young age, and coding provides a great opportunity to do so.
Coding is the future
Advancing technology has made coding a useful nice-to-have skill. Currently, many businesses rely on computers and programs for everyday activities. Unfortunately, despite being an on-demand skill, there is a shortage of qualified programmers. Therefore, kids who learn programming at an early age will acquire important skills required in various job positions. Besides being sure of well-paying employment opportunities, they can work in different sectors, be it technology, finance, health, retail, and more.
The Bottom Line
Evidently, learning to code is beneficial to kids. However, most parents don’t know the best age to introduce their kids to programming. While there is no perfect age, you can start teaching kids to code early in preschool. Kids can comprehend basic coding concepts as early as 5 years.
If your kid shows interest in programming, encourage them to enroll in courses and coding Bootcamps to enhance their skills. Paying tuition fees for coding courses and Bootcamps might be a challenge, but federal scholarships and GI Bill Benefits for veterans and service members can come in handy.
