Kids who learn how to code from an early age not only help improve their math and writing skills, but it also gives them valuable life skills that they need for everyday life and in the workforce. Children learning code is important for a multitude of reasons. Today, we’re taking a look at the top 5 reasons coding is important for your child’s academic success.
What is Coding?
Before we dive right in, let’s start with the basics. Coding is a method of communicating with a computer. It’s using a language that a computer understands to give the computer instructions to perform specific functions. Coding allows us to create things such as computer software, websites, apps, and video games.
Just like there are different languages in the human world, there are also a variety of coding languages. What language you choose depends on what you want to develop. Different programming languages also have their own set of rules. But we come back to the basic function of it all and it’s that coding gives instructions to a computer to produce a desired outcome.
Programming teaches children to problem-solve
Learning the basics of coding and gaining an understanding of computers helps children to develop an appreciation of how things work. It also shows that engineers use math to solve problems in logical and creative ways in their everyday life.
Solving problems is something that almost every profession needs to utilize. Children become excellent problem solvers so that they can overcome any adversity that may come their way. Learning to code and gain this problem-solving ability along with coding exposure. It’s a win-win situation.
Code helps expand your child’s creativity
Computer programming teaches children to experiment while also giving them the confidence to be creative with their code. They have the chance to design something that is entirely their own with the coding skills that they learn. Just like when a child is learning a new painting technique or learning a new instrument, it can feel daunting at first, but once they get a handle on the basics, they can get creative with where they want their code to go and how they want to utilize it.
Coding makes math more fun and engaging
We all know for some kids, math is not their strong suit, and having that feeling can take away from your child’s educational journey. Coding helps children build those math skills and makes learning math more fun and engaging. Since coding and math go hand-in-hand, your child will acquire these mathematical skills and abilities without even noticing them because they are having fun creating.
Coders learn by doing
Learning by doing refers to a theory of education brought on by American philosopher, John Dewey. Learning by doing is a hands-on approach to learning where students interact with their environment to adapt and learn. It is also the idea that we learn more when we actually “do” the activity.
As an example, imagine a child learning to play a new video game. With the learning-by-doing approach, the child would understand the app or game device they are using to play the game. Later, they begin to discover more about the movement of objects, points they can earn, and so on. Rather than a passive practice, it involves an active engagement. This active engagement encourages mistakes, notices wrong movements, and how to learn from those and move on and understand the why.
Code prepares your child for the job opportunities of today
Most jobs today require employees to be computer literate, whether it’s using a CRM for sales or creating a corporate presentation. Something else to note about today’s job market is that competition is high and to stand out from the crowd your child needs to possess basic coding skills and beyond.
Computer jobs are currently growing at over twice the national average as coding has become a vital skill set. Coding specialists and computer programmers are well-paid professions that are becoming increasingly sought after as the world continues to evolve based on a digital future.
Time for your children to learn how to code!
At Youth Code Jam, we provide several ways to get your child involved with code. We partner with entities around town to put on coding camps for the summer. We provide coding clubs for a few schools in the San Antonio area, including a virtual camp. We also put on Code Jams that are open to the public! Check out our whole schedule here. We also provide a number of resources if you and your child would like to learn code outside of the classroom here.