Technology has an important role in everyday life, transforming how we shop, spend our leisure time, interact, go to work, and study. Learning how to code has many benefits for children as about everything around us is programming.
How Children Benefit
Skill Development
Coding helps children to improve their problem solving and mathematical skills and enhances academic performance. Children learn that math can help in solving problems by thinking out of the box. Using logical thinking and reasoning is only half of what it takes to code, creativity is the key.
Students also develop their planning, organization, and reasoning skills to solve problems in real life situations. Not only children learn how to solve problems effectively but how to anticipate them. Typing lines of code also develops their structural thinking as they work with small pieces of data. Completing tasks in steps improves algorithmic thinking which enhances the brain’s ability to make sense of things and understand the world. Algorithmic thinking also helps master general reasoning skills, enabling children to analyze and implement rules and procedures.
When students see results and get positive feedback, this gives them confidence and improved self-esteem. Children become more confident when experimenting and having fun, which in turn strengthens their brain functioning. Other important skills that children master include collaboration, team work, and communication.
Career Opportunities
As a growing number of businesses rely on technology, learning computer programming also means more future employment opportunities. This is true whatever sector young people choose to enter, whether healthcare, manufacturing, finance, or high tech. Technology is here to stay and is definitely the future. With technological advancements, there are more and more opportunities for IT professionals who are highly sought after. Some of the fastest growing jobs are data engineer, transformation consultant, mobile applications developer, and machine learning engineer. Such jobs are expected to have high importance in the future, with advances in robotics, data mining, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Some of the exciting developments of the future are collective intelligence, implanted and wearable technology, and autonomous or self-healing computing.
What Is a Good Age to Learn Computer Programming?
According to experts, 5 or 6 is a good age to teach children how to code. Kids aged 7 – 8 already have critical thinking and logical skills to start learning. At the same time, children’s brains process new information most effectively when they are young. If a child is eager to experiment and shows excitement about coding, then this is probably a good time to start.
Learning Opportunities
There is a wide selection of courses and programs for children of different ages. They master Javascript, Basic Java, Python, or HTML for game creation and web and application development. In addition to online courses, there are public coding clubs in community spaces and libraries that children are welcome to join. Parents that are homeschooling can make use of the materials that clubs offer.
Summer camps are also available, including full-day and half-day programs. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, academies offer virtual tech camps for children and youth aged 7 – 19. The curriculum includes courses in 3D modelling, Adobe, Unity, Reblox, Minecraft, and Java. There are courses with a focus on game creation, storytelling and animation, coding applications, digital shorts, and more. Children enrolled in advanced courses are taught game programming with artificial intelligence and algorithms. Summer camps also offer students the opportunity to explore iD traditions and to join challenges, competitions, and games.
Visit our sponsor – smartborrowing.ca or check out the related financial resources about guaranteed secured credit card and reverse mortgage.