6 Reasons Why Your Child Should Learn Coding

Coding is becoming increasingly popular nowadays, however many parents consider it to be just another fad. That could not be further from the truth.

Modern computer technology is here to stay and as time goes on we will become more and more dependent on it, so the more your child knows about coding, the better the chances of them having a successful career in the future.

In this article, we will discuss the top reasons why your child needs to learn to code from an early age, so if you want to know how coding will benefit them keep on reading.

What is coding exactly?

Now, before we start let us say a few words about what is coding. Briefly put, coding is what enables us to communicate with our computers.

Coding is a common language you and your computer share, this language enables you to give your computer instructions so that it can perform certain tasks.

People who know how to code can create video games, websites, apps, and any other computer software.

There are different programming languages you need to learn depending on what you want to achieve.

So, now that you know that, let’s see how it benefits your child.

1. Coding teaches your child how to solve problems.

Coding enables your child to develop their mathematical skills and use them in order to solve various software-related (as well as real-life) problems. This is precisely why coding should be taught in every school.

By learning how to code your child develops the analytical part of their brain which is responsible for solving problems.

Needless to say, no matter which profession they end up in problem-solving skills will benefit them greatly.

2. Coding helps improve logical thinking skills.

“I think, therefore I am” as a prominent French philosopher René Descartes once said. Anything that will help your child improve their ability to think logically should definitely be taught in schools.

In order to solve a problem in coding your child will need to break down this problem into smaller pieces and use logic to figure out the solution. This is a great transferable skill that can be used in any walk of life.

3. Coding helps children become more creative.

When we think of creativity, art is probably the first thing that pops into mind. However, coding can be just as effective in developing the creative part of your child’s brain.

Coding teaches your children how to experiment, and look for creative ways to solve the problem. When people code they design a piece of software that has not existed before and you can’t do that without having a creative head on your shoulders.

If your child learns how to code they will get an opportunity to create something that they can call their own, and that is very exciting.

4. Coding is an integral part of the future.

Probably one of the biggest benefits of coding is all the career opportunities that it brings.

The modern world is heavily dependent on computer technology and that probably will never change from now on. So people who know how to code have definitely got an upper hand when it comes to finding a high-paying job.

And that doesn’t just mean jobs in the IT sector. There are millions of businesses that rely heavily on computer code, and if an applicant has coding listed as one of their skills in their CV they will very likely be a preferred choice.

Read also: Highest paying jobs in Singapore: What you need to study

5. The ever-rising demand for coding talent in the software industry.

The software industry is developing at a rapid speed and they are always in need of computer programmers. So if your child chooses this profession you can rest assured that they will always be able to find a job (and a well-paid one too).

In fact, computer programmers are one of the most sought-after professionals in the 21st-century.

Children are very good at picking up new skills. Adults often like to say that they absorb new information like a sponge. And this is precisely why they should be taught how to code from an early age so that it becomes second nature to them. As they grow they can hone their skills.

6. Coding gives you an opportunity to learn maths in a fun way.

Learning maths can be quite boring at times, especially for a young child. But coding can make this process much more fun and enjoyable.

What’s more, when children code they use their mathematical skills to create real projects. This demonstrates how mathematics can be used in a practical way. Seeing fruits of their labor will motivate children to deepen their knowledge of maths even further.

All of the benefits of coding are far too numerous to be listed in this article, however, the ones we presented above are some of the top ones.

So, now that you know how beneficial coding is for your child you are probably wondering how to teach it to them.

Well, keep in mind that it is never too late to start learning how to code, even if your child is already a teenager, with enough time and effort they can become very good at it.

However, just like with any other skill it is best if your child starts learning it from a very young age.

You can teach your child basics yourself by using various online resources or you can even hire a professional tutor to assist you in this matter.

If you intend to take an online courrse, there is a promotion at Udemy where you can use a Udemy coupon here.

Also, everybody has a smartphone nowadays, even young children. So why not use that screen time for something productive? There are dozens of applications you can download to teach your child how to code in a fun and engaging way. They will think that they are simply playing a game, they won’t even realize that they are learning a vital life skill.

And, last but not least, you can use coding worksheets to periodically reinforce some basic coding concepts.

To conclude, coding is an essential skill that will aid in the development of your child’s brain and help them stand out from the competition on the job market. Even if your school doesn’t offer coding lessons you can take the matters into your own hands and teach your child yourself or with the help of a computing tutor.