Writing Children’s Future — In Code

Mohamed Awadalla
Nov 3 · 3 min read
Photo by Arif Riyanto on Unsplash

Computer programming, a skill once set aside for computer nerds, is now relevant to almost every aspect of our society. In this era, it is difficult to find an industry in which computer programming is not linked in some way. Digital artists and designers, biomedical engineers, and movie animation are all examples of this interconnection. Our society is evolving to become completely reliant on the digital world. Thus, the question remains: why is coding, a state-of-the-art skill, not being emphasized from early ages in schools at Lake Washington School District? Ensuring the future of our children lies in emphasizing coding at an early age.

To begin with, there is no restriction on what age coding should be taught at. One of the beauties of coding is that it can be as complex or as simple as needed without sacrificing the concept of computation. For instance, Scratch, an online coding platform made by MIT, utilizes a drag and drop approach to teach young children the process of coding using simple blocks that build on one another. Another example is the robotic mouse, the “Code and Go Robot”, where children program it to maneuver through certain mazes. The process of writing code that students learn in either of these can be applied to much more advanced coding. Thus, children are ushered into the vast realm of coding through simple methods that open the doors to many careers beyond just computer engineering.

Furthermore, besides being another skill, coding can benefit elementary students in their education. Studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between students who start learning code in school and early literacy development (Stenger, Opencolleges.edu.au). Often, elementary students struggle to learn the structure of writing. However, code visualizes to students many processes that could be challenging to understand which translates into a better understanding of the structure of writing.

Moreover, there are also emotional benefits to learning how to code. Just like writing, drawing, and music, coding is an art that can be used to represent oneself. For instance, children can make websites, video games, and apps that can all portray what they like and believe in making them feel secure expressing themselves. As president of Programming Club at Redmond High School, I’ve seen many members of the club make programs that when I observed deeply, I found them encompassing a part of their personality. One of the members of our club, for example, made a website that gave detailed information about sports teams. He, however, always sat in the corner of the room, disconnected from the rest of the club. Looking at him, you can never guess that he was a big sports fan, but coding gave him a common way of expressing himself without worrying about what others thought of him.

Some may argue that we should not push students to learn something that may not interest them. However, the same could be said about every subject taught in school! The truth is, coding is slowly but surely becoming an important part of almost every industry. Coders, nowadays, make art; they make movies; they cure diseases, and most importantly, they make things that matter to them. Learning to code at an early age saves time from having to learn it later. Coding will be a necessary part of a modern worker’s skill set regardless of their career cluster which is why it is crucial to teach it now than later. Lastly, it is important to not view coding as a profession or hobby but rather a 21st-century skill that can help anyone produce anything.

The future of our children starts by emphasizing code. Not only does code provide both psychological and emotional support, but it also guides students into building a future for themselves in whatever realm that interests them; coding is simply a tool that helps them realize their goals whatever they may be.

Sources:

Stenger, Marianne. “Coding In Education: Why It’s Important & How It’s Being Implemented.” InformED, 27 Nov. 2017, www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/coding-education-important-implemented/.