Does your child really need coding skills?
I suggest you not to get all apprehensive by reading the title. Coding has more fun to it than it appears to be. Our digital world is built by code and kids are inevitably gravitated towards AI powered future for which the foundation is code. Thus, basic programming skills can be listed under skills to survive this century. Certainly it is a massive buzzword not to be ignored by parents. It does seem like "Parental pressure level: Indian." But it is definitely teachable.
Still not convinced? Even I was not, until my child started playing around with some apps. I had always thought, they didn't have to hurry, computer studies can wait. Only after looking at her progress in Scratch Jr did I convince myself to take some time to indulge her in coding.
Sow the seed
If you think kids don't understand coding. You're wrong. Coding is very similar to how children understand the world around them, as a part of cognitive psychology. What works and what doesn't work. All you have to do is bring it out spontaneously(sounds like an oxymoron, yes). No kid is averse to screen time. A tablet/smart phone has replaced all kinds of board games, card games, some outdoor games, hardcover books etc. So when you put the idea of creating a game on their own would not so unappealing to them. That is some productive, interactive fun screen time for your kids.
What's in it for your child?
Coding activity aims to improve the following skills,
Problem solving
Solving a problem lays the foundation to creative thinking. Observing a child's approach to solve a particular problem is a way to understand the child's mindset. Coding paves way to creative problem solving in your child's life.
Eye for details
Spelling, punctuation and phrasing may all not be relevant in the modern world of Auto correct, but that doesn't work for coding. Coding has to be prompt. So, there is a compelling reason for kids to learn to give attention to details.
Math
Coding is Math in action. If your child is good at Math, then most certainly he/she would have an edge in computer programming too.
Creativity
Freedom to create unique applications or games promotes the child's enthusiasm, as the child would've only used apps from the user-end. It stretches children's mind and allows to think. Storytelling, critical thinking, innovation etc stems from creativity.
Other benefits
- It is a single-child time pass.
- You don't always need a computer. Coding worksheets for kids are available all over the internet.
- Child engagement made easy during the COVID-19 lock-down.
- One more skill not taught at school.
Unlike our generation, children are used-to the super-smart AI technologies right inside their homes just in hand's reach. It would be amusing to allow the child to be in the driver's seat instead of being a consumer. After all it is training the young brains to think in the world of AI which allegedly seems to erode the human ability to think.
For a 4-7 year old child, first place to get started is Scratch Jr
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scratchjr.android&hl=en_IN
Skip the cartoon and start coding with your little ones!
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
#benefitsofcoding #codingkids #ScratchJr
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