Coding for Kids:The Benefits Are Greater Than You Know
The impact of computer coding on modern life is so universal that many of us don't think twice about it! But behind every social media post, streaming service selection, and smartphone app is, of course, code: a system of functions, commands, and rules written in a particular language to make our digital technologies function smoothly. Even with the rise of artificial intelligence and its increasing power to help write and edit computer code, human coders are essential to the process. Computational thinking is valuable for everyone!
For many students, learning basic coding can be an empowering experience that teaches a wide range of skills: creativity, problem-solving, perseverance, confidence, and more. Teaching coding to your students helps them to better understand how the modern world works, and perhaps, someday, shape the digital future. Don't worry—even if you don't consider yourself a "techie," there are plenty of opportunities to learn alongside your students!
"Everybody in this world should learn how to program because it teaches you how to think."
Look at any leader in the high-tech industry and most will tell you how coding was a transformative learning experience. It was a tool that changed the way they thought about the world. It served as a tool of creation, a way each was able to create and transform a bit of reality.
Research backs up the benefits of coding for kids, especially in the classroom. Kids who learn coding and programming logic are better problem solvers, have stronger analytical reasoning skills, and become more involved, inquisitive learners and driven to construct knowledge. Coding is also a STEM discipline, one that teaches kids how the internet works and how many systems they rely on function. It’s also a skill critical for a global economy driven by technology. This critical thinking is valuable in any field, from engineering to medicine.
Learning to code is more popular than ever, and it’s never been easier to get started. Code is everywhere in our world, and even a little bit of coding literacy can take kids a long way. Beyond digital literacy, the process of learning to code can support skills that are valuable across a variety of subjects. What’s more, giving all students an introduction to coding opens up opportunities for more women and minorities to pursue computer science careers.
Coding also teaches you how to work collaboratively. When you're working on a coding project with others, you have to communicate clearly and work together to find the best solution. This is a valuable skill in any workplace.
Finally, coding is a great way to learn about technology. In our increasingly digital world, it's important to understand how computers work and how to use them effectively. Young Critters can give you a leg up in this area.
Young Critters coding for kids is a cutting-edge curriculum that educates kids through real-world applications. YC emphasizes the importance of coding in education. Block-based programming for beginners, and Text-based programming through Web development, JAVA programming, Python, Data Structure, Algorithms, and other languages are available to students in grades 1-12.