If you’re an adult now, odds are that the educational landscape has changed a lot since you were a kid!
While some things will always remain the same – like the emphasis on reading, writing, and arithmetic as the basis for other subjects – technology has taken a front row, and is integrated into many assignments and learning objectives. In this day and age, learning to code is a matter of basic technological literacy for children.
There are tons of great reasons to get your kid coding and just as many ways to get them involved – from coding kids camp in Singapore to at-home games and study and more.
Today, kids are interacting with a wide variety of technology each and every day. The uses of computer coding extend far beyond simple entertainment. In fact, coding is being used to create most products that are on the market today.
And your child does not have to be a math whiz to understand or learn computer coding.
The fact is, it has more in common with learning a foreign language than with being able to do complex math equations.
Best of all, because most kids enjoy video games and web surfing, it’s easy to find a way to get them interested in learning this incredibly useful subject.
But first of all, what exactly is coding? Coding, also referred to like computer programming, is the language that is used to communicate with computers. It is how programmers tell a computer which actions to execute.
Programming is used in most industries today, as businesses continue to depend upon an ever-growing array of computer programs to run their enterprises.
There are several different types of programming languages which you (and your child) can choose to learn including C++, Java, Scratch, and more.
Opportunities for coders abound, but that isn’t the only reason to learn coding. Read on for the top reasons that you should get your kids learning coding as soon as possible.
Coding Provides Children with a Competitive Advantage
It can be compared to learning a new language. It involves breaking codes and understanding a new type of grammar.
As such, kids who learn coding use the same «brain muscles» as those of any other language.
Coding is both challenging and rewarding and teaches kids to take complex tasks and break them down into smaller chunks.
This is a skill that translates well to many other areas of life, including other academic subjects.
Additionally, students who learn coding early on in their education will have an advantage if they later decide to take a Computer Science AP course.
Further, knowledge in coding is looked upon favorably by college admission boards and is considered a plus when applying for part-time jobs, scholarships, or other merit-based awards.
Coding languages share many similarities with other written and spoken languages, in that they have their own specific rules and uses.
For children who wish to later (or simultaneously) study a foreign language, this experience will give them a leg up.
They will already understand what it is to apply the rules and grammar of a foreign language (in this case, computer coding languages) to put together commands and express their thoughts and wants.
Coding Improves Persistence and Problem Solving Skills
Learning coding will not only sharpen your child’s study skills, it is a hobby that is considered to be of practical value, and speaks highly of your child’s willingness to stick with a challenging project.
Learning any language takes time and commitment. If your child sticks with coding long enough to be able to complete coding projects, he or she will have spent a considerable amount of time and effort.
Computer coding breaks tasks down into a series of logical «problems» or steps, improving your child’s ability to manage complex tasks.
Coding Experts Are in High Demand
The demand for STEM jobs is booming, and nearly 71% of the new jobs that are being created in this area are in computing!
Not only are there plentiful jobs in coding, but they are jobs with high salaries and ongoing opportunities for growth. With continuing advances in technology, the number of job openings will only continue to grow.
There are several different computing languages, and learning more than one will only increase marketability for career and job opportunities.
Coding Improves Creativity
Coding can be used for a variety of different tasks, from creating visuals, websites, and games to performing calculations.
Kids have to depend on their creativity to come up with new and interesting tasks and to visualize what it is that they want the computer to do for them.
Because there are so many different things that kids can do with coding, there’s really no limit to what they can come up with!
Rather than simply playing a video game, which doesn’t involve much creative thought, your child can instead be creating one! It’s a great outlet for individual expression, whatever your child’s interests.
You can incorporate coding into other hobbies by – for example – having your child create a website, program, or game that explores another subject. If your child enjoys music, they can create a program or website devoted to that.
Coding Improves Collaboration and Communication Skills
Because coding is a language, when children are learning it, they are constantly having to translate their commands into something that the computer can understand.
Again, similar to learning a foreign language, this strengthens a child’s language abilities.
While coding fosters independence, it can also bring people together in collaboration.
Through coding, or attending coding kids camp in Singapore, your child can meet peers who share common interests and bond over the technology that they enjoy.
In today’s world, learning computer coding is fast becoming a basic skill.
Coding helps children to understand the world around them, and how they interact with everyday technology.
It provides opportunities for intellectual and creative growth and affords kids a definite academic advantage over non-coders. Whatever your child’s interests, coding for kids in Singapore has opportunities for them to explore and grow.
