7 Reasons why kids should learn to code
Today is the Children’s day in Bulgaria, so we from GlobalizeIT have prepared an article for the future of our planet — the kids. As a software development company, we have understood from the early days of our lives when playing video games that programming is the future and has become our goal to become software developers.
Coding did not only help us improve our mathematics and writing skills as kids but also gave us valuable skills in life and in the workforce. There are various reasons why coding is important to learn and why coding should be taught in schools from an early age. The earlier children learn to code, the better their chance at success.
So, let’s go!
At the end of this article, you can watch Code.org’s viral video with Gates and Zuckerberg about computer programming.
Teaches you how to think
Learning to code teaches children how to think. Computer programming isn’t just about teaching how to type lines of code, but it’s more than that. It is about teaching children how to think differently. Children will develop the skill when they see a large problem to break it down into smaller pieces in order to solve it in an effective way, the so-called decomposition (one of the key features of computational thinking).
“I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.”
- Steve Jobs, The Lost Interview
Coding teaches problem-solving
We all encounter problems on a daily basis. Some are small and easy to solve, while others are larger, more complex, and difficult. When kids hit a “bug” in their code or a problem they can’t solve, they are forced to use logic and reason to figure it out. They learn to analyze options and try to come up with a way to solve any challenges they come across. These problem-solving skills are a great benefit in their day-to-day lives and can help them to solve real-life situations.
“Solving problems is a practical art, like swimming, or skiing, or playing the piano: you can learn it only by imitation and practice.”
- George Polya, Mathematician
Coding improves creativity
Coding teaches children to experiment and gives them the confidence to be creative. By experimenting, children learn and strengthen their brains. Even when they make a mistake they learn. When you learn a language, you use it to express yourself. The same is valid for code. Coding empowers kids to not only consume digital media and technology but to create it. Instead of simply playing a video game or using an app, they can learn to make their own ones. Children need motivation just like when learning a language, or playing a musical instrument. Usually seeing results along the way is enough to cultivate this, and this is what happens when children learn to code.
“Coding is today’s language of creativity. All our children deserve a chance to become creators instead of consumers of computer science.”
- Maria Klawe, Computer Scientist
Coding helps children with Math skills
The conventional belief has always been that kids interested in coding should develop strong math skills. However, it turns out the reverse may also be true: coding can help children build math skills and make learning math more engaging and fun. Coding helps children be able to visualize abstract concepts, lets them apply math to real-world situations and makes math fun and creative.
“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations or algorithms, it is about Understanding.”
- William Paul Thurston, Mathematician
Coding improves academic performance
Coding not only strengthens a child’s understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and physics, it strengthens a student’s reading and spelling ability while teaching students valuable keyboarding skills. Helping kids understand important abstract concepts lets them apply math to practical world situations. Kids also understand the value of concision and planning, which results in better writing skills. Our Children learn by doing new things and with coding, they could create anything they want which enhances their creativity. It was noticed that kids’ confidence builds up as they learn to problem-solve through coding!
“Code teaches you how to face really big problems”
- Jack Dorsey, Co-founder of Twitter
Coding is fun and satisfying
If you want to give your child something enjoyable to do which will also be educational, learning to code is the perfect gift. The main reason why coding is important is that you will give your kid a challenge while having fun! There are tens, hundreds of languages and tools that are meant for kids — tools like Scratch and Minecraft. They deliver the same concepts of programming in a fun way. Children will learn various skills and with practice, gain some important skills that can help them through all ways of life, and if they can do all of this while having fun, why not? Let’s say it: It is fun! Just don’t call it coding.
“Most good programmers do programming not because they expect to get paid or get adulation by the public, but because it is fun to program.”
- Linus Torvalds, Creator of Linux
Coding prepares you for the future
When you look at how the world is developing, coding is an extremely useful skill to have. We can say that nowadays in this fast-moving world coding is more and more not just a job but a required basic skill. New job definitions are being created every year that combines programming with other skill sets. There is an increasing number of businesses that rely on some kind of computer code, not just those in the technology sector. A child who learns how to code will have the advantage in life with more employment opportunities available to them in the future, no matter which industry they decide to enter.
“Computers are going to be a big part of our future … and that future is yours to shape.”
- Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States
Conclusion
Kids nowadays are growing up in a world where rapid technological change is the new norm. A good education no longer teaches us to memorize facts, as facts are available at our fingertips. Education is now about locating reliable information, solving current problems, predicting future problems and adapting to change.
Teaching your kids coding now will give them fluency in the systems and architecture of tomorrow’s world. Even if they don’t end up as developers themselves, the skills they will learn will pay dividends in nearly every career path on the planet.
Do you have any other thoughts on the benefits of coding for kids?
Code.org’s viral video with Gates and Zuckerberg from 2013.
