We live in the age of technology like never before. While all ages can agree that devices and computers enrich our lives in many ways, most children do not stop to think about what makes them work. In modern life, almost every device we interact with daily is powered by a computer. Whether that’s a smartphone, smart car, appliance, tablet, laptop, gaming console, ATM, or traffic light system, it’s crucial children understand someone wrote coding to help them perform. Today, computing is involved in almost all aspects of our lives, communications, education, social media, banking, security, and shopping.
In recent pandemic news, U.S. News reported that the shortage of coders who can use the vintage COBOL program is causing delaying the processing of nationwide unemployment claims, which shows that good programming skills never go to waste. The spread of computers and the Internet will put jobs in two categories: People who tell computers what to do, and people who are told by computers what to do, states Marc Andreesen, a Venture Capitalist.
Helping your child visualize the possibilities for how coding and technology can solve future problems, is essential in the times we live in. Just imagine, your child could go on to change lives by working on apps, robotics, and other computing programs that help to shape our future for the better in the education, health, and energy sectors.
Digital Essentials
Whether it’s creating digital art, building inside video games, or creating their own website, it’s vital to encourage this type of skill, not only for their development now but also as a possible career choice in the future. Honing these techniques has been shown to cultivate technological literacy, improve organization skills, teach logic, and promote independent learning. Many companies are coming up with playful, exciting, virtual journeys that hold kids’ attention and help them process the information as never before.
Computer coding for kids is becoming more popular, using games, websites, apps, and other kid-friendly platforms as a research-based approach that has been proven to teach real-world skills in a way that keeps students engaged. Maryville University notes the language of code is used to create every part of your favorite games, including the colors, sounds, characters, and words. People who know code are the people who shape the Internet and create the most popular games and apps.
Long Term Benefits
Learning to code is an excellent way to prepare children best for the future, get them ahead at school, or support and enhance their current learning. Research suggests that coding helps them with other skills such as organization, math, focus, creativity, perseverance, writing, problem-solving, and even confidence. Kids who can code are great at solving problems and have good critical thinking skills.
Despite common misconceptions, even primary school children can start to learn to code. Dan Costolo, CEO of Twitter, said: If you can program a computer, you can achieve your dreams. A computer doesn’t care about your family background, your gender, just that you know how to code. Once your child starts to learn to code, they can move through more complex processes and problems. Computer coding for kids is now available in many easy to understand, fun, and engaging platforms like never before.
According to research conducted by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, almost half of science, technology, engineering, and maths jobs are hard to fill. Learning to code would help ensure they have no lack of options when it comes to careers. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, had a computer programming tutor starting in middle school, one example of the payoff. The Bureau of Labor median pay for software developers is around $103,560 per year, with demand expected to increase by 24% per year from 2020 to 2026. Much faster than the average of other occupations.
While many hope to one-day experience this technology taught in classrooms, until then, it’s up to you, the parent, to give your child a jump start in life. While it might take a bit of persistence and patience, the investment is sure to pay off. Give your child a new skill that’s both fun and beneficial academically. As a parent, please remind your child real magic lies in their limitless potential.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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