Many parents are concerned about how their children will adapt to a world where technology is becoming more prevalent by the day. One popular way is by introducing coding in their early years. According to MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten research group, children can start learning to code at the age of five.
Teaching your kids to code is not just about preparing them for a programming career. It’s about equipping them with the right tools and mindset to become self-sufficient individuals. Read on as we uncover the broad benefits of coding and how your kid can start reaping the benefits of this skill with the right coding app.
With the award-winning codeSpark app, kids will have fun learning vital coding skills while simultaneously improving their ability to solve problems critically and creatively.
Try codeSpark today.5 Reasons Why Your Kid Should Learn to Code
Boosts Problem-Solving Skills
Tackling coding problems requires at least the following fundamental steps:
- Don’t rush into writing code right away. Take a minute to read through the problem and understand what’s being asked.
- Devise a plan to solve the coding problem. A surefire way to do so is by cutting it down to size. Instead of trying to solve a complex problem at once, break it down into smaller chunks and decide how you’re going to solve the problem step by step.
- Once you have a plan in place, you can start writing actual code.
- Take the time to review your code and test it to see that it works.
As kids get constant exposure to coding problems, they learn to approach them methodically by using critical thinking skills instead of cutting corners or getting overwhelmed. This ultimately boosts their self-confidence, knowing that they can overcome problems head-on and take control of the situation.
Nurtures Creativity
Coding is about creating solutions. By learning to code, kids get the freedom to turn their ideas into reality. They can build their own games and animations and get involved with other coding projects. During this process, they develop creative thinking skills as they experiment and explore their ideas. They learn that anything is possible with the right tools and mindset.
Develops Humility and Grit
As all good programmers would say, there’s no such thing as clean code. A code can be simple, easy to understand, usable, and scalable but not bug-free. Hence, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to writing code.
When kids learn to code, they realize early on that errors are inevitable, but this doesn’t have to frustrate them. Rather, it could be their source of motivation and what keeps them focused on a challenge.
Teaches Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is the capacity to understand and use technology purposefully and meaningfully. Kids as young as 5 can realize the relevance of technology in their lives. Learning to code builds a deeper understanding and appreciation of the software applications they use daily.
Gears Them Up for a Future-Proof Career
The importance of learning to code in the digital economy cannot be overstated.
Learning to code can set your kid up for a tech career, such as software engineering or web development. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for software engineers are expected to grow by 22 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is more than four times the national average.
If your kid is not interested in exploring a STEM career, learning to code can help them thrive in their careers nonetheless. According to McKinsey & Company, there is a high demand for soft skills with which workers can navigate the digital world.
These soft skills include problem-solving, reasoning, and creative skills. Moreover, the ability to deal with complex and challenging issues can also be developed by learning to code.
Now that we’ve discussed why learning to code is essential for kids, let’s look at how codeSpark can help them in this endeavor.
Why Teach Your Kids to Code with codeSpark?
Teaching your kid how to code might sound intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with this field. Fortunately, learn-to-code apps like codeSpark can teach your kids for you.
Designed for kids aged five to nine, codeSpark offers a way for your child to familiarize themselves with coding even before learning how to read. Through this app, kids can develop an interest in STEM through fun puzzles, coding challenges, and creative tools. As your kids use the app, they will also develop the following skills:
Problem-Solving Skills
The codeSpark app contains various games to boost your kid’s analytical skills. These include coding puzzles, mini-games, and Pet Pals. With codeSpark, children learn how to approach problems while playing interactive games, solving fun puzzles, and taking care of their virtual pets.
Creative and Analytical Thinking Skills
Numerous codeSpark puzzles help children recognize varied patterns and develop their spatial imagination. Finally, they can design their own games and enhance their creativity through codeSpark’s game development feature.
Math, Reading, and Digital Literacy Skills
Even though codeSpark has a word-free interface, activities like puzzles and the Game Maker teach youngsters sequencing skills required for early literacy and arithmetic. Through various mini-games in codeSpark, kids learn about math symbols for addition and subtraction, which better prepares them for what they will be taught at school.
Get Started with codeSpark
Your kid’s journey to learning how to code can easily start with accessing codeSpark—on any browser, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire mobile device. Once in the app, you can create your kid’s codeSpark account. This involves the following steps:
- Choose your plan. Monthly and annual plans are available ($9.99 per month or $79.99 billed annually)
- Set up an account. Create your codeSpark account by entering your email and password.
- Make a payment. codeSpark offers Career Karma readers a 30-day free trial instead of the usual seven-day trial with the discount code “CAREERKARMA30”.
Do you want your kid to learn to code? Test drive the codeSpark app for 30 days for free!
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
