Regardless of their age, from K to 12, learning to code today can be a great skill for children. You must agree that teaching children to code seems like an impossible task. Similar to learning a completely new language, in that regard. We teach children how to code and program by using games and activities. We will discuss coding for you in this article. Please keep reading.
What Is Coding For Kids
When someone talks about “coding for kids,” they’re referring to the ways that young people can get into the field. These chances are meant to be entertaining and gamified to keep young minds interested. Other terms for coding include “programming” and “computer programming.”
While it may be difficult to imagine a young child learning something so complicated, kids can actually learn to code thanks to the numerous summer camps, websites, tutors, after-school programs, and toys that are available.
Coding is not always the traditional “computer science” that you or your children might naturally shy away from.
In reality, coding is just the language we use to interact with computers, and it’s what we use to create and maintain apps, games, websites, and other things. This communication is conducted in a variety of languages, including:
- Scratch: A visual, drag-and-drop coding experience
- Python: Easy-to-read code that is great for beginners
- Java: The language tested with the AP Computer Science exam
- C++: This is used to create software, code games, and more
Why Is Coding Important
Coders Are In High Demand
As was previously mentioned, only 11% of STEM graduates major in computer science, despite the fact that 67% of all new STEM jobs are in the field of computing. A serious lack of CS majors exists.
Coding Provides A Competitive Advantage When Applying To Colleges, Internships, And Jobs
In the eyes of prospective college admissions officers and employers, you instantly become more attractive if you have a trendy skill that many of your peers lack, such as the capacity to code. Plain and simple.
With Coding Knowledge, Students Better Understand The World Around Them
The majority of us have no idea how our smartphones, laptops, social media platforms, or video games function. Basic programming skills can transform the way we use and interact with the technologies we use every day and open our eyes to the limitless potential of coding.
What Is Coding Used For
Coding is used to develop a wide range of technology, simplify tasks, save lives, and enhance lives. Coding is the process of writing instructions that tell computers and other machines what to do.
In addition, we use it to program the websites, apps, and other technologies we use on a daily basis and in a variety of professional contexts. Here are a few examples of how coding affects the world around us, from artificial intelligence predicting future cancer to creating new desserts to managing your home’s thermostat.
These entry-level positions in computer science and other fields also use coding:
- Computer programmer
- Computer systems engineer
- Web developer
- Software application developer
- Healthcare
- Aviation
- Music/Art
- Industrial Manufacturing
Real-world applications of coding include:
- Traffic lights
- Grocery stores
- Elevators
- Clothes fitting
Skills Learned Through Coding
- Problem-Solving – at the core of programming is solving problems. As they progress, these issues will become more challenging, but being able to address coding issues will benefit them in many aspects of their lives.
- Critical Thinking – being able to produce a program with very little input takes a fair amount of critical thinking skills. Children will need to analyze the data given and make decisions in their code that may change the result.
- Perseverance – programmers are often met with difficult challenges when coding a program, especially when it comes to debugging code errors. When you are persistent, you can continue on your path even when it is challenging.
- Communication – programmers need to have clear communication to give computers directions. The ability to communicate in programming languages can help kids write and speak more clearly.
- Creativity – learning to code can give kids a big boost in their creativity. Coding is a creative endeavor that can result in games, apps, and programs that alter the course of history from a blank screen.
Is Learning To Code Challenging For Kids
Coding education has never been simpler with the abundance of fantastic services available! Innovative visual coding languages like Scratch and Tynker, for instance, make coding entertaining.
Because of its story-driven approach, Tynker’s award-winning platform captivates young coders, encouraging them to learn more and more coding concepts as they proceed through the activity.
Learning To Code Online
Independent learners would do well to sign up for a coding school online. We suggest approaches aimed at making learning to code enjoyable and simple.
- Game-based learning – Kids are encouraged to use code to complete game levels by game-based platforms like Tynker and the challenges on Code.org.
- Independent learning with Scratch – The MIT program Scratch is a fantastic place to start learning how to code. There is a vibrant community to learn from despite the lack of courses.
- Online courses – Enroll in a Python or JavaScript course on Codecademy, Tynker, or Khan Academy, or learn to code with Processing. The foundational ideas of art and computer science are introduced using p5.js in Tynker’s advanced courses, such as Processing 1.
- Build an app – Learn to use Swift to create your own iOS application. Get the Apple Swift Playgrounds app and start with these Swift resources.
- Use a book – Learn by following along with books like Mission Python, Super Scratch Programming Adventure, or Coding with Minecraft. Tynker has three super-informative Coding eBooks, including Code These Games and Code This Art.
Conclusions
Why wait now that you are more informed about what coding for kids is all about? Get started today!
Therefore, learning to code has benefits that go beyond the act of coding itself because it opens up a wide range of opportunities. In other words, learning to code is crucial, and we hope that this advice will enable you and your kid to move forward.