Engaging kids to learn coding
There is a popular fact that kids absorb information like sponges. In this absorption of information method parents and teachers need to be careful in providing what kids should absorb. Among the popular choices available like arts, sports, foreign languages we tend to forget about coding.
Coding or computer programming is growing to be a serious occupation for adults and is even being an area of interest for kids and that’s because of a reason. Programming can be a good option for career opportunities as it pays well and also provides bright perspectives. According to glassdoor, an average salary of a software developer is $77,000 as per the year 2020 which is quite a handsome amount of money, isn’t it?
It is not necessary to learn coding just to have a career in this field, coding can be an amazing pastime activity for kids to learn and have fun all together. Let us discuss some of the positive impacts of coding on kids:
- Teaches solving real-world problems
- Inculcates creativity
- Feeds curiosity
- Develops maths skills
- Helps in understanding the modern world and its functionality
- An advantage for academic performance
If your kid is suffering from regular tension for school assignments, don’t push them too hard rather try to solve the problem from a different angle. You, as parents might be knowing the importance of coding, but it becomes difficult to make your kids understand the same importance but you need not to worry, this article will help you with some tricks to engage your kids in coding.
- How is coding relevant in everyday life?
We live in this era where we are surrounded by technology and computers. So it becomes quite relevant in our everyday life, from its usage to its importance we all know it already.
Kids have many questions regarding anything and everything starting with ‘how’ and ‘why’ so, while they are asking questions about computer you can introduce the topic of coding to them with its connection in our daily life.
2. Interesting examples of coding
Parents can show their kids the various examples of items around us that require coding like washing machines, toy robots, cartoon movies etc. According to the age of the kid introduce him/her to such interesting examples around us.
If you find it difficult to explain your kids about the functioning of certain elements you can watch a documentary together with your kid. The kid would love to know how his/her favorite animated character was created. It will be good enough to gift your kids some toys through which they could learn.
3. Introduction to the actual code
You can introduce your older kids to the actual pieces of coding for them to understand. You can use a simple website for it. If your kid has a basic knowledge of how it works you can show him/her a basic code and then make some alterations to depict an immediate effect on the code.
Another amazing way to introduce your kids to coding is through online coding games or you can show them the primitive sites for games and then ask them to write one by themselves. You can use code monkey for that.
Python can be a good start for beginners as suggested by various programmers.
4. Debunk the myths
There is a stereotypical image of a kid sitting in front of the monitor for hours and staring at the screen and this image doesn’t attract kids at any cost. They don’t want a life like this with thousands of dollars too. With this image in your kid’s mind, all your efforts of encouraging him/her to learn coding will go in vain.
Show your kids the real-life coders who live a normal life with their families and doesn’t look so shabby like the ones portrayed in memes. This will probably change their perspective.
Conclusion
It is always an advantage to know one programming language as it will be beneficial for the kids to compete with the growing world. It can be a career option for your kid too.
You need not to push your kid in learning programming but you can tell your kids how interesting and fun coding is and they might develop an interest in it.