3/31/2021 8 reasons why every child should learn to code - Teach Your Kids Code

EDUCATION | WHY CODING

8 reasons why every child should learn to

code

By Chontelle Bon glio August 24, 2018

This post may contain af liate links.

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If we want to set our children up for academic success, every child should
learn to code. Coding for kids not only helps improve their mathematics
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and writing skills but also gives them valuable skills in life and eventually in
the workforce.  There are various reasons why coding is important to learn
and why coding should be taught in schools from an early age. The early
children learn to code, the better their chance at success.

What is coding

Put simply, Coding is the a method of communicating with a computer. It is

using a language that a computer understands to give a computer
instructions in order to perform speci c functions. Coding allows us to
create things such as computer software, websites, apps and video games.

There are various types of different code, depending on what you want to
develop. And different “programming languages” that each have their own
set of rules. But basically, coding is giving instructions to a computer in
order to produce a desired outcome.

Help your kids learn to code

Before we get to talking about why every child should learn to code, you
may have come here looking to nd out HOW you can teach your child to
code. It’s easy to get started teaching children to code, even if you don’t
have any coding experience yourself! In fact, we’ve compiled a list of
coding concepts even 5 year olds can understand here.

There are so many ways to get started with teaching kids to code. Here are
a few suggestions from our site:

Start Out Unplugged

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You can get started coding with your kids today! It’s easy, and all you need
are items you likely already have around your house. To rst start learning
the basics of coding, you don’t even need a computer! One of our most
popular unplugged coding activities involves learning to code with a deck
of cards! You can nd out how to learn to code with a deck of cards here,
or you can nd our whole list of unplugged coding activities here.

There’s an App for That!

If you’re like me, you struggle with appropriate screen time for your kids. I
know that I got to the point where one more YouTube video of kids
opening and reviewing toys was going to send me over the edge. We try to
make our screen time as educational as possible. I even taught my son to
play the piano using this app!

There are lots of amazing coding apps that can get your kids learning to
code without even realizing it. Even popular games like Minecraft have an
education edition that helps kids to learn to code. Our favorite coding app
is this one. We have a whole list of the best coding apps for kids here.

Start with an Hour of Code

One of the easiest ways to get a taste of programming basics for kids is
with the fun and FREE hour of code activities available online. These
activities are designed to take only an hour and can give kids and parents a
chance to understand the importance of learning to code. We have an
entire list of our favorite hour of code activities here.

Coding Worksheets

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Our coding worksheets will help to reinforce the basic coding concepts
learned in the activities above. These worksheets are perfect for the
classroom or home. Our worksheets cover the concepts of algorithms,
sequencing, loops, variables, decomposition, branching and debugging.

Buy coding worksheets - 10 themes included

But why is it important to learn how to code?

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Why should kids learn coding? There are so many reasons to learn coding,
it was hard to pick just 8 bene ts of learning to code. From problem-
solving skills, job opportunities, critical thinking, and creativity, there are
so many reasons to learn programming. Let’s review why kids should learn
to code.

Here are 8 reasons why coding is important to

learn for kids:

Programming helps children learn to problem-

solve

Understanding computers and learning the basics of coding helps children

to develop an appreciation of how things work. It also teaches them how
software engineers use math in order to solve problems in a logical and
creative way. This is an important reason that coding should be taught in
schools, so children learn these skills while they are young.

The ability to solve problems is a trait that is useful in life in general. We all
want our children to become excellent problem solvers so that they can
overcome any adversity they face. Learning to code gives children the
chance to learn this type of skill while they are young and it can help them
along the way in life. This is one of the big reasons coding is important to
learn.

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Computer programming gives kids a challenge

and helps them develop resilience

When children learn to code, they develop the ability to bounce back after
failure. They learn that failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and in fact, it
can often be something positive because it serves as a learning
opportunity. This is one of the most important reasons why kids should
code, as they will learn quickly that ‘debugging’ your code is half the fun.

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When you fail and try again you can learn from your mistakes. Coding
gives children the ability to try and try again until they succeed and
produce the result they are looking for.

Coding teaches children how to think

“ A computer is a bicycle for your mind” – Steve Jobs

Learning to code teaches children how to think. Computer programming

isn’t just about teaching how to type lines of code. It is more about
teaching children how to think differently. Being able to code effectively, a
programmer needs to use logical thinking. They need to be able to see a
large problem and break it down into smaller pieces in order to solve it in
an effective manner. This is called decomposition and is one of the key
features of computational thinking.

Children learning code will need to take a vague idea and use their
creativity to turn it something effective. If the rst solution doesn’t work,
they try another one. If that one doesn’t work, they try again until the
problem is solved. Coding helps to develop this way of thinking and these
types of thinking skills are highly sought after.

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A child expands their creativity when they learn

how to code

Coding is important to learn because computer programming teaches

children to experiment and gives them the con dence to be creative. They
will have the chance to design something that is entirely their own.
Children thrive off of the feedback they get from creating something they
love. Just like learning a language, or to play a musical instrument, children

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need motivation. Usually seeing results along the way is enough to

cultivate this, and this is what happens when children learn to code.

Because coding is easy to pick up, for children especially, con dence
comes easily. When children learn how to code it gives them the
opportunity to be con dent and create something in a fun and exciting
way.

Why is learning to code so important? For us, creativity tops the list!
We love the creative games and activities our kids can create with
coding. Coding doesn’t have to be boring, in fact, coding can be fun! We
show you how to make coding fun for your kids in this post.

Computer programming is the future

When you look at how the world is developing, coding is an extremely

useful skill to possess. There are an increasing number of businesses who
rely on computer code, not just those in the technology sector.

A child who learns how to code will have the advantage in life with more
employment opportunities available to them in the future, no matter
which industry they decide to enter whether it be in the technology sector,
nance, retail, health or other. This is an important reason why coding
should be taught in schools.

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There is a lack of skills in the software industry

Experienced computer programmers are in demand and with the

advancement of technology, there are increasing career opportunities
arising every day. Employees who can code are the future and are highly
sought after in any industry.

Because quali ed computer programmers are hard to come by, their

salaries can be at a high level. If children learn to code at a young age, their
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experience starts young and they are more likely to grow up with an
interest in the software industry, therefore contributing to our future.

Coding helps children learn how to have fun

with math

Coding is the language of maths. Imagine coding being taught in every

school? Learning to program involves many skills including organizing and
analyzing data. Children can grow their math skills while coding, without
even realizing it. Using their logic and calculation skills while creating
something of their own can make maths more engaging and fun. Another
big reason coding should be taught in schools.

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Coding is learning while having fun

If you want to give your child something enjoyable to do which will also be
educational and help them to learn, learning to code is the perfect gift. You
can read about the reasons why coding is important, but one of the main
ones is to give them a challenge while having fun!
Children will learn various skills and with practice, gain some important
skills that can help them through all ways of life, and if they can do all of
this while having fun, why not?
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When should my kid learn to code?

In our opinion, teaching kids code is something that can be done as early as
preschool. In fact, we have an entire post dedicated to ideas for getting
preschoolers started with coding. You can read this here.

As early as age 5, kids can learn the basic concepts of coding. Here are 5
coding concepts that 5 year old can understand.

Even kids who can’t read can learn to code with block-based coding. Check
out these coding apps that can help kids as your as 4 or 5 learn to code.

Why is coding important to learn?

We have gone through some great reasons why coding is important to

learn for not only children but anyone. If you have a child, giving them the
opportunity to learn about technology and the way computers work will
surely give them an advantage in life. Learning to code while they are
young will set them up for a successful future.

Pin for later!

Check out more great coding content on Pinterest!

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Chontelle Bon glio

Chontelle Bon glio is a passionate traveler, lover of languages and mother of
two active boys. She is the creator of the popular websites Bilingual Kidspot
and Mum’s Little Explorers and has written for other high pro le websites such
as the Huf ngton Post, Scary Mommy, Mamamia and more!

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