Learning how to code may be super challenging foradults, which makes most parents think it’s quite impossible for kids. But thereality, in today’s era of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, is thatcoding has increasingly become one of the biggest trends in the educationsector. This might sound unbelievable, but kids are great when it comes tolearning code. If a kid starts learning how to code from an early age, it opensthe door to plenty of opportunities for both in terms of acquiring life skillsand exploring career opportunities.
Here are ten benefits for kids and teens to learn to code:
Coders are in high demand
We live in the most unprecedented times of our lives, and learning tocode will improve your child’s chances of a lucrative STEM career. Artificialintelligence (AI) and computing jobs are growing at a tremendous pace, twicethe national average, to be precise. Coders are in high demand and have becomea vital skill, and graduates with CS majors can earn 40% more compared to thecollege graduate average.
Codinggives you a competitive advantage
If you want to be more desirable in the eyes of admission officers andyour future employers, start learning to code. This is one hot skill many ofyour peers’ lack and will give you the much-desired competitive edge whenapplying to colleges, internships, and jobs. Plain and simple.
Codingknowledge allows kids and teens to understand the world better
We are addicted to video games, smartphones, laptops, social medianetworks, and yet we hardly know anything about them. Basic programmingknowledge will help you understand and interact with the technologies we use,most of which we take for granted.
Coding issatisfying and improves creativity
Coding can be an enjoyable and creative activity. You can develop apps,mobile games, websites, and more if you know how to code. Coding improves yourcreativity; it’s like learning a language. Computer coding will give you thepower to come up with your own app or video game or website. These can be yourcreative outlet to express yourself. After all, you created something. So,what’s not to love!
Codingimproves problem-solving
Coding required tackling complex problems and breaking them down intosmaller parts for analysis. This helps kids and teens to learn and understand howto approach various challenges and problems using logic and computationalthinking. This logical thinking is powerful and will help you a lot in school,work, and life.
Codingimproves persistence
Just like learning something new, learning to code is challenging. Whencoding, you’ll come across complicated problems, make mistakes along the way,and handling them can be frustrating. Coding will teach kids and teens thevaluable skill of persistence when confronting such challenges.
Codingteaches collaboration
Coding is about facing problems and solving them. Learning to code focuseson finding solutions through research and collaboration. Collaboration is a keyelement in learning how to code and a skill that in general helps kids andteens in school, work, and life.
Codingimproves communication
Communication is a must-have skill in school, work, and life, and nomatter what you do. If you know how to communicate complex ideas in simple terms,there is little to stand in your path to success in different industries andlife. When kids and teens learn how to code, they can master the valuable skillof how to communicate with computers. After all, computers can only understandif they break down complex ideas and arrange them in ways they can comprehended.
Coding is a part of their education and literacy
Today’s children are growing up with electronicdevices like computers, smartphones, digital toys, and many more. Learning howto code helps them to understand how software in their devices is running and howweb pages appear on their screen.
Coding strengthens their academic skills
In addition to computational thinking andprogramming skills, coding fosters the development of executive functioningskills, such as problem solving, planning and mathematical thinking. Kids willbe equipped with a skill set that will assist them down the academic road.
Final Thoughts
As Bill Gates once said, “Learning to writeprograms stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way ofthinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains.” I believeparents and schools around the world are very eager to teach their kids how tocode. Of course, learning how to code won’t necessary turn them into professionalprogrammers and one day maybe even be billionaires like Bill Gates; However, itindeed teaches them much needed skills that will help them in a variety ofacademic and life choices in today’s hyper-competitive digital era.
