According to an article in The Guardian, by 2020 there will be nearly 10 million job openings for programmers in the U.S. With the demand and shortage of coders expected to increase even more, it’s no surprise that more parents than ever are curious about whether learning to code is something their child should take up. While it might seem like a scary prospect, learning to code doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It can actually be a beneficial activity for children, especially if they plan on pursuing a career in digital fields as an adult. We believe that learning how computers work is one of the best ways for kids to grow and expand their minds — and with that in mind, here’s why you should start teaching your child how to code now:
Learning to Code Is Good for Your Child’s Brain
As any parent can tell you, kids change rapidly — sometimes in surprising ways. It’s important to keep up with the latest research on how the brain works, and keep an eye out for any trends that might be able to help your child.One of the most important things to understand when it comes to learning to code is that it’s not just a way to teach kids how to do a repetitive task. It’s an opportunity to explore and expand their own creativity, and to apply critical thinking skills that are valuable for success in any field.Coding is a great way to help your child strengthen their attention and problem-solving skills. The first step to seeing improvement in these skills is having kids understand how they can impact them in the first place. The better your child can navigate the stresses of everyday life, the better equipped they’ll be to succeed in school and beyond. Coding is a great way for kids to practice prioritizing and managing their time, finding a challenge they want to pursue, and choosing goals they’re excited about.
Learning to Code Is Good for Their Future Career
If you’re worried that learning to code might be too advanced for your child, rest assured. While most kids will start by building apps and games, they can eventually choose to study computer engineering, computer science, or IT-related fields like computer programming, data science, or cybersecurity.The reason why learning to code is such a promising career option is because it opens up so many options. Whether they decide to work in software development, IT support, marketing, or another field, there’s a high chance that your child could have a relatively flexible job with a lot of autonomy.And these positions are in high demand. Between 2020 and 2030, there will be nearly 700,000 job openings for computer-related professionals, which make up 8% of all jobs. That’s nearly 10 million job openings in the space of 10 years — and the demand is expected to continue rising.
Programming is Rewarding and Challenging
There’s a lot of preconceived notions about what it means to code. You might think that learning to code means that your child will spend all day staring at a computer screen. That’s not how coding works at all.While your child will learn a lot of important skills through programming, it’s actually a creative process. It involves thinking, writing, and testing out ideas. That means that your child will be using their imagination and critical thinking skills, while also practicing patience and persistence.Kids who choose to learn to code can expect to be challenged and to feel a sense of satisfaction in their work. They’ll have to think critically and creatively to solve problems, and they’ll have to work hard to find solutions that work. That means that kids who learn to code will have to learn to handle frustration and disappointment, while also developing the skills to persist through challenges.
Getting Started is Key to Staying Interested
Kids are naturally curious, and that curiosity and desire to learn about things that fascinate them is something to celebrate. Unfortunately, it’s also something that many parents mistake as stubbornness and laziness.If your child wants to learn to code, encourage them to keep at it. Don’t push them toward a set deadline or make them feel like they need to finish everything in a certain amount of time. Instead, let them focus on what they like about the process, and what they find rewarding. You may discover that coding feels like a much more positive, rewarding experience than you expected.That’s the great thing about learning to code — you can always try something new and give it a fresh try. If your child wants to try something new, encourage them to do so. Don’t feel like you need to know exactly where your child will end up.
Conclusion
Learning to code can be a daunting and expensive journey for kids. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Teaching your child how to code is a great way for them to expand their minds and engage with technology in a different way. As long as your child follows these 5 easy steps, they’ll be on their way to learning to code in no time.
