Learning to code is an exciting way to help your child develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. It also allows children to explore their imaginations. As a bonus, it gives them a sense of self-confidence. One of the major benefits of coding is that children who code are more likely to be creative, independent, and confident. It can help children deal with difficult emotional situations, and learn to analyze a problem and define clear steps to solve it. Through coding, they are also taught the importance of persistence, problem-solving skills, and collaboration. They also develop resilience, learn to manage frustration, and develop strategies for troubleshooting their projects. Children learn to work in teams, as well as communicate their ideas in a variety of formats.
We have listed three reasons why teaching your kids to code will have a lifelong impact on them.
- Career – As an added benefit, learning how to code can help your child find a passion that will last throughout their life. It can also help them decide on their career. Computer programming is expected to become the fastest-growing profession in the next few decades. Whether a child wants to work in an office or be an artist, learning to code will open many doors. It increases their chances of landing a high-paying job. It also helps level racial disparities in STEM fields. Coding can take your child far. By the end of high school, they may have several options available to them in college. A master’s degree in the field could help them advance their career as a programmer and hone their management skills. If you’re unsure about where to start, there are free online tutorials available that can help.
- Solving complex Problems – Teaching your child to code is a great way to help them develop critical and logical thinking skills. It helps them learn how to break down problems and find solutions. The process of coding can also help kids develop their analytical and computational thinking skills, which is a great asset in all aspects of life. Furthermore, it teaches kids to use computer programming tools to solve complex problems. Coding is challenging, and mistakes will happen along the way. However, it is also a good way to teach your child to improve on their strengths and overcome obstacles.
- Creativity – Another benefit of coding is that it encourages creativity. Children naturally brim with creativity, and coding allows children to express their imagination and learn more about it. They combine their logical reasoning and mathematical skills creatively and innovatively by learning how to use code.
In addition, coding allows children to interact with others and socialize. Kids learn to develop computer programs to create games and interact with the virtual world. This makes learning more fun and engaging. They can use several free coding resources to learn the fundamentals of coding. For example, Microsoft’s Kodu platform teaches kids to design video games while helping them understand the basics of coding. Other educational resources include the Raspberry Pi Kit, an inexpensive credit-card-sized computer. Kids can create their robots with MakeBlock, a free online construction platform. When kids learn to code, they develop programs that give the computer instructions. Once this computer understands the commands, it will respond appropriately. These programs are designed using a programming language similar to English but with additional rules and parameters. As a result, they can test their creativity as they learn new skills.
Children can learn computer programming from the age of seven. Block programming, or visual programming, is a great way to start. This method uses a drag-and-drop system of instructional blocks to teach the basics of structured programming. It also helps children develop their logical thinking skills, as well as their ability to build sequences. Later, your child can move on to text-based programming, where they create computer instructions using actual code. Choosing an appropriate program for your child will depend on their interest.
In addition to learning to code, your child can learn to build computers, robots, or circuit boards. Many free programs are available online, including the popular Scratch and KidsRuby applications. These programs are great for kids ages five and up and provide lesson plans, tutorials, and activities.
It’s important to remember that the coding language is not easy to understand, so it’s essential to ensure they understand the concepts. For example, a loop is a series of instructions repeated until a condition is met. A simple visual of a circle will help them understand it better. There are various platforms where you can make your Kid learn to code.