If we want to set our children up for academic success, every child should learn to code. Coding for kids not only helps improve their mathematics and writing skills but also gives them valuable skills in life and eventually in the workforce. There are various reasons why coding is important to learn (we’ll discuss some of those reasons below) but the earlier children learn to code, the better their chance at success.
Why should children learn how to code?
One of the best reasons for having children learn how to code is because it teaches problem-solving skills. Everything about today’s world and especially our modern-day workforce is all about solving problems. When kids code, they take complex problems and break them down into smaller parts. Coding teaches kids how to think in a way that enables them to find a problem and develop a creative and effective solution for that problem. This is called computational thinking and it’s an essential skill whether you become a plumber, a carpenter, an engineer, a city planner, or a machinist. In fact, it’s an essential skill in just about any career!
Other reasons for learning to code include:
- Coding gives kids a challenge and helps them develop resilience and confidence;
- A child expands their creativity when they learn how to code;
- Coding helps children learn how to have fun with math as well as showing them real-world applicability for math;
- Coding is a basic literacy in the digital age, and it is important for kids to understand and be able to work with and understand the technology around them;
- Coding is another language so when you learn how to code, you are essentially learning another language;
- Coding is learning while having fun;
Coding activities:
- Visit Code.org for a variety of coding activities for all ages. Participate in an Hour of Code and you may want to keep going beyond that!
- We know that screen time is a big issue right now since many of our kids are doing distance-learning. Here is a link to some coding activities that can be done without being on a phone, laptop, or tablet.
- Here are 13 activities for learning to code. This website is a terrific resource, so feel free to explore the site for more information and activities!
- Are you a fan of Minecraft? Here are some Minecraft coding activities you can do both online and off-line.
- Learn Scratch! Scratch is a free programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations.
Conclusion:
You can do a google search and find so many activities and resources about coding. One of the best things about learning how to code is that you can be any age to start learning AND almost everything out there to help you learn to code is FREE! We hope you enjoy learning how to code! Follow us on Facebook and share some of your favorite coding activities and projects with us!