{"id":1781,"date":"2018-09-19T01:58:34","date_gmt":"2018-09-19T01:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mymeakid.org\/?p=1781"},"modified":"2018-09-19T01:58:34","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T01:58:34","slug":"why-kids-should-learn-to-code-and-how-to-get-them-started-by-erik-missio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contaminasian.com\/dir1\/why-kids-should-learn-to-code-and-how-to-get-them-started-by-erik-missio\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Kids Should Learn To Code (And How To Get Them Started) BY ERIK MISSIO"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Think your kids are too young to learn to code? Think again. Coding (also called programming or developing) is telling a computer, app, phone or website what you want it to do. Some educators and experts are calling it the \u2018new literacy\u2019\u2014a subject so important that\u00a0every child needs to know the basics\u00a0to excel in our rapidly changing world.<\/p>\n

Four- and five-year-olds can learn the foundations of coding and computer commands before they can even write and spell words. Older kids can learn to code through classes, mentors and online tutorials (see below for learn-to-code resources for all ages).<\/p>\n

Learning to code prepares kids for the world we live in today. There are tons of jobs and occupations that use code directly, like web designers, software developers and robotics engineers, and even more where knowing how to code is a huge asset\u2014jobs in manufacturing, nanotechnology or information sciences. However, for most kid-coding advocates, reasons for learning to code run much deeper than career prep.<\/p>\n

Understanding Code Helps Explain The World<\/h3>\n

Today, computing is involved in almost all aspects of our lives, from communications and education to social media, banking, information, security and shopping. Networked computers are capable of controlling our homes\u2019 thermostats and lighting, our cars and our health records.<\/p>\n

If grade-schoolers are taught biology and mathematics in order to understand the world around them, then knowing the basics of how computers communicate\u2014and how to engage with them\u2014should be a given.<\/p>\n

Learning To Code Develops Problem Solving And Computational Thinking Skills<\/h3>\n

The skills that come with computer programming help kids develop new ways of thinking and foster problem-solving techniques that can have big repercussions in other areas.<\/p>\n

Computational thinking allows preschoolers to grasp concepts like\u00a0algorithms<\/a>,\u00a0recursion<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0heuristics<\/a>\u2014even if they don\u2019t understand the terms, they\u2019ll learn the basic concepts (and for parents who don\u2019t understand these terms,\u00a0this article from Mother Jones\u00a0explains the basics of computational thinking by comparing it to following a recipe for dinner).<\/p>\n

Coding Is Fun!<\/h3>\n

Beyond the practical reasons for learning how to code, there\u2019s the fact that creating a game or animation can be really fun for kids.<\/p>\n

Andrew Duff, a father of two from Toronto, introduced his kids to coding though\u00a0Hour of Code<\/a>, a series of one-hour tutorials that teach the basics of coding and computer science. More than 119 million people have tried the Hour of Code since it was introduced in 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife and I wanted our kids to be introduced to computer coding, with the hope they\u2019d develop their love of making things,\u201d he says. \u201cThey both love video games and making stuff with cardboard, paper and Lego. So when we heard about the free coding lessons, we thought it would be a great opportunity for the kids to see how games are made and possibly ignite a new kind of maker passion.\u201d<\/p>\n

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You’ll Also Love:\u00a0Why Indie Video games Can Be Great For Kids<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Andrew\u2019s nine-year-old daughter Ava started with a\u00a0Frozen<\/em>\u00a0learn-to-code game from Hour of Code<\/a>. \u201cI like that it wasn\u2019t too hard to do any of the coding and not too easy either, just the right challenge,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019d like to learn how to make my own games, show people how to play my games and help teach other people how to make games too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her seven-year-old brother Jasper agrees. \u201cI did the\u00a0Frozen<\/em>\u00a0games too,\u201d he explains. \u201cThen, I made my own\u00a0Flappy Bird game<\/a>. I liked that you could make the Flappy Bird go up or down. I liked that I could make the game just the way I wanted it to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

How To Introduce Your Kids To Code<\/h3>\n

Interested in getting your kids involved with coding?\u00a0 Try searching online for coding camps or courses in your community, or try one of hundreds of online courses, programs and apps that use cool graphics and simple tutorials dressed up as games to help kids learn to code.<\/p>\n

A few suggestions to get you started:<\/p>\n