What Is Coding?
Coding (or computer programming) is the process of providing detailed instructions to acomputer so it performs a specific task. You may have heard of popular text languages like Java, Python, or Ruby, but even kids can easily learn to code using a VPL (visual programmng language), also known as block based coding.
"Code has become the 4th literacy. Everyone needs to know how our digital world works, not just engineers. ”Mark Surman, Executive Director, Mozilla Foundation
Why Is Coding So Important?
Code enables the technology weuse every day. From our mobile phones, thermostats, televisions, cars, and even the on the device you’re using to read this wouldn’t exist without code.
“There are many reasons why kids should learn to code and most of them have nothing to do with getting a high paying job as an adult”: Margaret Choi; Codewizardshq
Why Should Children Learn To Code Today?
1. To prepare your child for the current digital age: When it comes to preparing your child for the future, there are few better ways todo so than to help them learn to code. Coding can help your child develop academic skills applicable to any grade level, in addition to building critical life skills like organization, perseverance, and problem solving.
2. Coding improves academic performance: It’s been proven that learning to code reinforces math skills, helping kids visualize abstract concepts and apply math to real-world situations. It also teaches logical communication, strengthening both verbal and written skills.
3. Coding develops important life and cognitive skills: Coding is a basic literacy in the digital age. It’s important for your child to understand and be able to innovate with the technology around them. As your child writes more complicated code, they’ll naturally develop life skills like focus and organization. It also develops resilience – when kids code, they learn that it’s ok to fail and improve. There’s no better way to build perseverance than working through challenges like debugging code!
4. Coding empowers: Kids also feel empowered to make a difference when they code. Many kids use code to spread messages of tolerance and kindness. Parents have even reported that their kids develop more confidence as they learn to problem-solve through coding.
5. Coding prepares children for the future: In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, it’s more important than ever that your child has the skills they need to adapt and succeed; and coding is a big part of that. Jobs are quickly becoming automated, and half of today’s highest-paying jobs require some sort of coding knowledge. In 2020, there was 1.4 million computer science–related jobs but only 400,000 computer science graduates to fill them, according to the USA Bureau of Labour Statistics.
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