This article provides all the necessary information you need to know about coding for kids. Wanna know how to start coding? In this article, you will learn the reasons why you should make your child learn to code. Learning to code for kids has become basic literacy in the current time. Everything around us, whether it be shopping or paying bills or transportation is based on technology and thus it is inevitable for a child to learn computer programming. Moreover, this article will provide you with the importance of coding for children and everything you need to know regarding that.
Introduction to Coding for Kids
Coding or in other words computer programming is a process through which programmers tell a computer how to perform a task. Coding is in a way equivalent to a language that has some set of rules which is prepared creatively by a programmer so that the language is comprehensible for a computer to perform a particular task. The internet browser that we use, Facebook, the apps on our phone– all are created using code. Programming includes tasks such as analysis, resource consumption, profiling algorithms’ accuracy, generating algorithms, and the implementation of algorithms in a chosen coding.
What is Coding for Kids and How to start Coding for Kids
Let us first know what is coding for kids and how to start coding. Firstly, coding for kids is not precisely complicated. Computer programming at the beginner level involves writing computer programs using programming languages. Moreover, computer programming for kids is transfigured into a game to make the programming process simple and fun for kids to learn. As coding is gamified to make it simple and easy to learn, kids as early as age 5 can learn to code for kids through kids’ computer programming courses using games, apps, etc. Starting to learn coding at a young age also helps the kids when they opt for Computer Science at a later age. This can give them an edge over others in the future.
Coding Resources for Kids and Children
To know about the coding resources for kids, we should first know how to start coding. There are several coding resources that one can rely on to get through the beginners’ initial stage of coding. Kids can learn coding from a plethora of paid as well as unpaid coding apps and websites. Coding programs such as Code.org, Code Monster, Khan Academy, Scratch, etc. are the ideal starting point for coding novices.
Apart from the readily available apps and websites and coding kits what is perhaps even more important and useful to learn to code for kids or beginners is the right guidance. Moreover, skilled and diligent mentors can help one to understand coding and coding languages better as they can provide individual supervision and expert guidance.
Reasons why Coding is Important for Kids and Future of Coding for Kids
Learning to code for kids, in this time, has become basic literacy in this digitized world. It helps kids to understand the tech world around them better. Moreover, coding helps kids to develop good communication skills, mathematical skills, writing skills, creativity and other such real-world skills. The earlier the kid starts learning to code the better are their prospects of success in their career field because this era of tech-based world highly values computer programming skills. Statistics show that the median pay and increase in demand of software developers increase at a much faster rate than any other occupation. Bureau of Labor mentions that software developers earn around $103,560 per year, with demand expected to increase by 24% per year from 2016 to 2026.
Here are a few reasons why coding is important for kids —
1. Inculcates Computational Thinking
Children develop cognitive skills in them through the process of learning to read and write a code. Thus, in this process, the child learns to logically organize and analyze data by using abstractions and pattern recognition. They have to break the problem down and solve the problem and analyze the results so that it is comprehensible for a computer. Computational thinking not only helps in coding but also in other real-world practical problems
2. Coding Teaches Real-World Problem-Solving
Learning to code for kids involves understanding, organizing and analyzing a problem and solving that problem that resembles a computer. Problem-solving skills are not only required in computer programming but also in various other career fields as well as in the real practical world.
3. Develops Algorithmic Thinking
Algorithmic thinking is basically the ability to understand a problem and solving it in a creative, organized, and comprehensible manner. It involves computational concepts like repetition, sequencing, and conditional logic. Mathematics and other science fields require this skill.
4. Kids Learn the Concept of Cause and Effect
Coding teaches children to learn the concept of cause and effect. Through this concept, they learn to analyze the cause of the effect and effect of the cause. Thus they learn to build and make things work acceptably and understandably.
5. Kids Learn to use Logic
One of the most important soft skills required for coding is logical thinking. It involves analyzing and forming step by step procedure to solve a problem and generate the required result. Thus, learning to code for kids inculcates logical thinking in a child.
6. Creativity
Kids love gaming and technology and creating things that are related to what they love gives them a natural motivation. Through the gaming and other fun resources of coding for kids, they learn to create in a fun way. Moreover, it helps them to exercise their imagination and the sense of being able to create somethings boosts their confidence. As John Romero says — “You might not think that programmers are artists, but programming is an extremely creative profession. It’s logic-based creativity.”
7. Helps in Development of Mathematical Skills
Mathematics requires a lot of logical thinking, problem-solving skills, cognitive skills, algorithmic thinking, and proper usage of abstract figures to get the required result. Firstly, coding helps to inculcate all these skills in a kid. Secondly, it is actually the practical usage of maths. Lastly, coding involves mathematical expressions that need to be resolved.
8. Perseverance
Coding teaches perseverance as the kid needs to have the patience to understand what is not working and how to make it work. Moreover, they need to analyze the problem and persevere to understand and solve the problem to run the program.
9. Kids Learn to Anticipate and Avoid Problems
In computer programming, kids learn to anticipate problems beforehand that might cause errors and thus avoid them. They learn to write the correct codes to prevent the entire program from crashing down.
10. Coding for Kids builds Confidence
Computer programming teaches a kid that there are multiple ways of solving a problem. If one way did not work there must be some other ways to rely on to solve the problem. Thus, this makes the kid a confident problem-solver. Moreover, computer programming needs the kid to be creative. When the kid is able to create something that works, it gives them a sense of achievement and thus boosts up their self-confidence.
11. Encourages Kids to Think Outside the Box
In computer programming, the kid needs to think outside the box to generate the correct code to run a particular program. Moreover, it sends them a message that they can create anything from nothing.
12. Learning to Code for Kids can make a lot of Money
There are several teenage coders who developed games, apps, software, websites that led them to earn a lot of money at a very young age. For exceptionally creative coders, coding can bring a fair amount of success even at a young age. Teenagers such as Ethan Duggan, Brittany Wenger made their mark as a web developer at a very young age. The young Vietnamese game developer who created ‘Flappy Bird’ was earning in millions. Moreover, the software development career is on the rise in the current times.
13. Develops Writing Skills
Through coding, a kid learns to plan, organize and synthesize their thoughts that help in the development of their writing skills. Coding teaches children to express complex ideas in the simplest ways. Writing requires the same skill.
14. Communication
Computer programming is a language like any other language so much so that it has been considered as a foreign language in the public schools of Florida. Programming requires the kids to think carefully about what they want to communicate and how they want to communicate with computers. Thus, through coding children learn to recognize and organize their thoughts for effective communication. Coding also enables kids to develop logical communication. It helps to convey our points precisely and effectively.
Coding can improve the academic performance of a kid through the development of skills such as writing and logical thinking. Moreover, it can also help to develop soft skills such as logical thinking, perseverance, communication, etc. As Steve Jobs says — “I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” Computer programming also paves a path for a better future as it is the fastest-growing occupation. As the world around us has become tech-inclined, the demand for computer programmers has also increased. Even non-programming jobs require a few programming skills. Demand for computer programmers will be on the rise for the next few decades to come due to the development of artificial intelligence, robotics, data mining, and other tech-based developments.
“Learning to write programs stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains.” — Bill Gates
Best Computer Programme for Kids – Future of Coding for Kids
Some young kids who simply have a talent in programming can right away grasp complicated programming languages such as C++. Whereas, many older kids who don’t have much interest in written programming languages might prefer visual programming interfaces such as a gaming environment. Generally, it is ideal to start with something simple. Kids age 5-8 might prefer visual programming languages and kids above age 8 might prefer text-based programming language. Pre-teenagers might be taught full programming languages.
Types of Programming Languages
It is very important to understand the types of programming languages before assigning a kid with a particular programming language.
1. Compiled Programming Languages
Programs using ‘Compiled Language’ needs to be compiled first before it is run. It is very important to write the correct code out to run the program as once a code has been compiled cannot be edited. One wrong syntax added in the code can crash the whole thing. But compiled programming languages such as ‘BASIC’ are relatively easy to learn for the kids.
2. Interpreted Programming Languages
A lot of websites in the World Wide Web runs under ‘Interpreted Programming Language’ as compiling every bit of code is not feasible. Many programming languages can be both compiled and interpreted, like, JavaScript. If you want to know how to start coding, then Interpreted Programming Languages is the answer.
Kids can try programming languages or tools such as Basic, Blockly, Scratch, Java, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, etc. Coding is one of the most important skills that a kid needs to learn in the modern tech world.
FAQs Regarding Importance of Coding for Kids – Complete Guide for Future
There are a number of apps to choose from. You can get your hands on ‘Toppr codr’. It is easy and fun to use.
The answer would be an absolute YES. Coding does not just help in IT industries. Coding helps to develop other skills as well such as communication, writing, It develops a child’s thinking pattern as well.
It mainly depends on the kid’s knack towards it. But generally, coding is simplified for kids. Coding is transformed into a gaming pattern so that kids can easily go for it.
Editor’s Note | Coding for Kids
Coding or computer programming is one of the most inevitable skills that a child needs to inculcate in themselves. It is a skill that builds up a child’s thinking process and makes a child ready for the real-world in multiple ways. Unfortunately, COVID 19 has caused a negative impact on many aspects around the world. You can track live updates on the COVID 19 status. However, coding still remains to be the most important skill that a child needs to develop. The gamified methods of learning coding are still readily available. Although some Chinese based apps have been banned in certain countries there are other many more options to choose from.