Why Teach Children How to Code<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen you teach your child how to code, you don\u2019t simply set them up for a future as a computer programmer. Here\u2019s why you should encourage your child to learn how to code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Coding boosts children\u2019s problem-solving abilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs parents, we want our children to be able to solve real-world problems using the best possible method. That way, they can expertly tackle complex situations confidently<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the field of programming, coders constantly write and rewrite thousands <\/em>of lines of code to get the program to work. When kids take on a coding challenge, they need to figure out the right strategy to use \u2014 if that strategy fails, they need to try again until they get it right. This, in turn, challenges their logic and boosts their problem-solving abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Coding enhances children\u2019s computational skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nKids with learning disabilities<\/a> are often intimidated by maths because they can struggle to grasp abstract concepts. However, when they write code, they can visualize<\/em> how certain computations work. The numbers will no longer look like mere symbols but will start to make sense. <\/em>This is because they see the real-world applications <\/em>of certain computational concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChildren who know how to code will be able to understand maths better, and in turn, this will boost their confidence and academic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Coding teaches children how to persevere <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/annie-spratt-xKJUnFwfz3s-unsplash.jpg?resize=702%2C468&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor professional coders, it\u2019s perfectly fine<\/em> to fail. That\u2019s precisely why coders need to have perseverance<\/em> \u2014 when the program doesn\u2019t work, they need to keep going, even if it\u2019ll take them weeks<\/em> to figure out what went wrong. It can be frustrating, but they will not<\/em> give up even though they\u2019re met with failure multiple times. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDebugging isn\u2019t fun, but it shows your kid that they can try again<\/em> if they fail. It teaches them that they can bounce back from their mistakes and that bugs are just temporary setbacks<\/em> they can get through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Coding encourages children to think<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBy teaching kids to code<\/a>, you can encourage them to think \u2014 really <\/em>think. <\/p>\n\n\n\nComputer programmers don\u2019t write code for the sake of getting a program to work. They need to figure out how to write clean <\/em>code \u2014 this is code that\u2019s easy to read and easy to maintain. To do that, they need to be able to use logic<\/em> to break a problem down. <\/p>\n\n\n\nChildren who learn how to code will need to find the ideal solution<\/em> to the problems they will encounter. If a solution works but it\u2019s not the best solution, they need to come up with new code. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHelp! I Don\u2019t Know How to Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTeaching a child how to code when you don\u2019t know anything about coding can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that offer free<\/em> source code. These were designed to be understood by school children, so don\u2019t worry \u2014 you will<\/em> be able to wrap your head around basic concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf possible, gain a general <\/em>understanding of programming languages. You don\u2019t need to become a real programmer, but it would help to understand the basics. This will help you guide your child through the more complicated parts of programming. Here are a couple of free resources to check out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Scratch<\/a><\/li>
- Code.org<\/li>
- Khan Academy<\/li>
- Codeacademy<\/li>
- W3Schools<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips on Teaching Children to Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow that you know why your kids should learn to code, let\u2019s take a look at how<\/em> they can learn to code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Use Scratch <\/em>for first-time coders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theparentsocial.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Screenshot-2022-05-16-at-11.42.11.png?resize=702%2C439&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou don\u2019t need to be a programmer to teach your child how to code. You can even write code without actually writing it! With MIT\u2019s Scratch, <\/em>children can create programs, games, and more through its drag-and-drop interface. The program then writes the corresponding source code in real-time and puts it side-by-side with what your child created. In this way, you and your child can picture what real-world programs would look like if they were written in code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Let your kids figure it out on their own<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As parents, we want our children to be able to solve real-world problems using the best possible method. That way, they can expertly tackle complex situations confidently<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the field of programming, coders constantly write and rewrite thousands <\/em>of lines of code to get the program to work. When kids take on a coding challenge, they need to figure out the right strategy to use \u2014 if that strategy fails, they need to try again until they get it right. This, in turn, challenges their logic and boosts their problem-solving abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids with learning disabilities<\/a> are often intimidated by maths because they can struggle to grasp abstract concepts. However, when they write code, they can visualize<\/em> how certain computations work. The numbers will no longer look like mere symbols but will start to make sense. <\/em>This is because they see the real-world applications <\/em>of certain computational concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children who know how to code will be able to understand maths better, and in turn, this will boost their confidence and academic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For professional coders, it\u2019s perfectly fine<\/em> to fail. That\u2019s precisely why coders need to have perseverance<\/em> \u2014 when the program doesn\u2019t work, they need to keep going, even if it\u2019ll take them weeks<\/em> to figure out what went wrong. It can be frustrating, but they will not<\/em> give up even though they\u2019re met with failure multiple times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Debugging isn\u2019t fun, but it shows your kid that they can try again<\/em> if they fail. It teaches them that they can bounce back from their mistakes and that bugs are just temporary setbacks<\/em> they can get through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By teaching kids to code<\/a>, you can encourage them to think \u2014 really <\/em>think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Computer programmers don\u2019t write code for the sake of getting a program to work. They need to figure out how to write clean <\/em>code \u2014 this is code that\u2019s easy to read and easy to maintain. To do that, they need to be able to use logic<\/em> to break a problem down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Children who learn how to code will need to find the ideal solution<\/em> to the problems they will encounter. If a solution works but it\u2019s not the best solution, they need to come up with new code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching a child how to code when you don\u2019t know anything about coding can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that offer free<\/em> source code. These were designed to be understood by school children, so don\u2019t worry \u2014 you will<\/em> be able to wrap your head around basic concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If possible, gain a general <\/em>understanding of programming languages. You don\u2019t need to become a real programmer, but it would help to understand the basics. This will help you guide your child through the more complicated parts of programming. Here are a couple of free resources to check out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know why your kids should learn to code, let\u2019s take a look at how<\/em> they can learn to code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t need to be a programmer to teach your child how to code. You can even write code without actually writing it! With MIT\u2019s Scratch, <\/em>children can create programs, games, and more through its drag-and-drop interface. The program then writes the corresponding source code in real-time and puts it side-by-side with what your child created. In this way, you and your child can picture what real-world programs would look like if they were written in code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Coding enhances children\u2019s computational skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Coding teaches children how to persevere <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Coding encourages children to think<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Help! I Don\u2019t Know How to Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tips on Teaching Children to Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Use Scratch <\/em>for first-time coders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. Let your kids figure it out on their own<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n