Technology is all around us, so children must have an understanding of coding which is basic literacy in our digital world. Learning to code not only helps students understand their digital world, but also improves communication, creativity, math, writing, and confidence. More than that, learning to code helps children reach success in their future both academically and personally.
At a basic level, coding is a method of communicating with a computer. It is using a language that a computer understands to give a computer instructions to perform specific functions. Coding allows us to create things such as computer software, websites, apps, and video games.
Coding should begin early because it helps children gain an appreciation for how things work and develops problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for academic achievement and future careers. Learning how to solve problems is a life skill that must begin in the early years so that skills continue to improve. When children face adversity throughout life, they can use their problem-solving skills to navigate solutions.
Learning to code is a challenge for kids. They learn that when you fail, you can learn from the mistakes, bounce back and begin again. This resilience is necessary as children face many obstacles throughout life. When kids can learn from their mistakes and eventually reach success, they realize that facing obstacles and experimenting leads to success.
Coding helps children learn how to think differently. Students learn more than just typing codes into a computer; they learn how to think logically. They will learn how to take a big problem and break it down into smaller pieces until it is solved.
Computer programming is not always connected to creativity but learning how to code helps children understand how to experiment which gives them the confidence to be creative. They get to design something and watch it come to life. They can design games and activities which add to the fun of coding.
For children to gain all of the benefits of learning to code, they must begin early and engage in continuous courses. Learning to code is not meant to be an extra activity done during the summer; it can begin as early as elementary school and progress through middle school and high school. Continuous courses that advance with your child allow them to build skills and gain a more advanced understanding of how to code.
Start with Digital Arts to Begin Your Technology Journey
At skoolofcode where courses are carefully designed to meet the needs of age and skill level, children can begin their programming journey with courses in Digital Arts and Scratch. The Digital Arts course will introduce the youngest students to take their first steps towards being a creator in the digital world. This course empowers students to take a step into the world of technology, get acquainted with using computers, and give shape to their thoughts using fun graphics and animations.
Advance with Block-based Coding with Scratch
Scratch is a visual programming language that allows students to create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. Children will learn to create and animate digital characters, objects, and backgrounds. During this early stage, children will gain an understanding of the building blocks of coding and logic by using simple and intuitive language. As they progress through the courses in Scratch, they learn to use coding concepts to make storyboards, games, and more exciting animations. At the advanced level of Scratch, yet still taught to elementary students, they learn how to combine the power of mathematics and programming to create complex games and interactive apps. Students gain an in-depth understanding of more intricate algorithms.
Learn to Build and Interact with Machines
During upper elementary and early middle school, students can take classes on Robotics. Robotics is the intersection of science, engineering, and technology that produces machines/robots that imitate human actions. Using Micro Bit – a tiny computing device designed by the BBC, students will build on basic programming knowledge to gain a deep understanding of how software and hardware work together. As they progress, they will learn to interact with machines using an Arduino – a compact hardware-software platform. Students will create a basic robot that interacts in the real world.
Master Text-based Coding with Python
As students continue through the program, they will begin working with Python and Web development. Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics. In these courses, students learn about foundational programming concepts like variables, conditions, and loops while coding fun projects. As they progress, they will learn how to program video games. In the web development courses, students learn the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the core languages for web development. They will make dynamic web pages, and host their own website. In the advanced web development courses, students harness server-side scripting, NodeJS, service API, and database interaction to build a powerful and professional website that lets people do real things.
Use Java and Computer Science to Design and Evaluate Programs
In the most advanced courses, students learn to use Java. Java is a programming language that is used to develop desktop and mobile applications, big data processing, embedded systems, and more. You will learn to code just about anything – from apps to websites, to operating systems. A specially designed college-level introduction to computing courses will prepare you for the AP Computer Science Principles exam. Students learn to use computer science to solve problems, understand CS fundamentals and learn to design and evaluate programs.
Giving your child the opportunity to learn about technology and the way computers work will provide them an advantage in life. Learning to code while they are young and continuing throughout school will set them up for a successful future.
