It is widely believed that artificial intelligence will play a significant role in the world of the future. There is much debate about whether this will be good or bad. However, it can undeniably be said that we are heading towards a world dependent on information technology. Today’s younger generation—your children—will set foot in that world. How your child fares in that future will depend largely on their knowledge of information technology. That is why modern parents want their children to acquire some basic knowledge of information technology from an early age. If by information technology you only mean Facebook, you are making a serious mistake. What you are using is just an app. Facebook, YouTube, Google—behind these apps and platforms lies the vast application of information technology. Hundreds of thousands of IT specialists work on these platforms. To easily display information on these platforms, specialists use “computer programming languages” or computer code. 

If we want our children and teens to be academically successful and smart, every child must learn to code. Coding for kids not only improves their math and writing skills, it will add a new dimension to their professional abilities in the future. There are many reasons why learning to code is important and why coding should be taught in schools from an early age. The earlier children learn to code, the sooner they will have opportunities for success.

So the question is, what is coding?

Coding is a method of communicating with computers. It uses a language that gives computers precise instructions to perform specific functions. Through coding, we can create important digital technologies such as computer software, websites, apps, and video games.

There are different kinds of code, depending on what you want to accomplish. Additionally, there are various “programming languages,” each with their own rules. Ultimately, coding is about giving specific instructions to a computer to produce the results you want.

Help Your Kids Learn to Code

Before discussing why every child should learn to code, you’re here to find out how you can help your child learn. Even if you have no coding experience, it’s easy to get started teaching kids to code! There are many ways to begin teaching children how to code. Here are some suggestions:

Start Out Unplugged

You can start coding with your kids today! It’s easy, and all you need are items lying around your house. To introduce the basic concepts of coding, you don’t even need a computer! One of our most popular unplugged coding activities is learning to code using a deck of cards! You can learn how to code with cards on our website, or you can check out our full list of unplugged coding activities here.

Learning to Code Through Apps

There are many amazing coding apps that can turn screen time into an educational experience and teach your kids to code. Even popular games like Minecraft have educational versions that help children learn coding. Two such platforms are: https://swiftplayground.org and https://scratch.mit.edu 

Learning Coding Online

There are many websites for learning coding online. They offer video tutorials with examples to facilitate learning. Some such sites are: https://www.datacamp.com/ and https://www.learnpython.org 

Teach Coding with a Tutor

LearnTime (learntime.com.bd) offers online live video lessons with trained instructors on a one-student-to-one-teacher model, letting students learn coding at their convenience. They are currently teaching Python programming because it’s easy for children and teens to learn. You can start teaching your child at your preferred schedule with one of their instructors. 

Why is Learning Coding Important?

Why should children and teens learn coding? Perhaps this question has crossed your mind. However, there are many reasons to learn coding, which are discussed below—

1. Coding Builds Problem-Solving Skills

Children who know coding can easily understand how computers work. It teaches them how software engineers use math in a logical and creative way to solve problems. As a result, kids can acquire these skills from an early age.

The ability to solve problems is a trait that plays a key role throughout life. We all want our children to be great problem solvers so that they can face any adversity. Learning coding gives children the opportunity to develop these skills early on, which can help them throughout life. This is a major reason to learn coding.

2. Coding Provides Challenges and Helps Develop Children

When children and teens learn to code, they develop the ability to bounce back after failures. They learn that failure is not necessarily a bad thing and, in fact, is often a positive, as it offers a learning opportunity. This is one of the most important reasons for kids to code. When you fail and try again, you learn from your mistakes. Coding empowers children to keep trying until they succeed. 

3. Coding Teaches Kids How to Think

Steve Jobs once said, “The computer is a bicycle for the mind.” Coding teaches children and teens how to think. Computer programming is not just about typing lines of code; it also teaches kids how to think differently. To code effectively, a programmer must use logical thinking. They need to be able to see a big problem and break it down into smaller, manageable parts to solve it efficiently. This is called decomposition and is one of the key features of computational thinking.

Children who participate in coding are given a vague concept and the opportunity to use their creativity. If the first solution doesn’t work, they try another approach. If that doesn’t work, they keep trying until the problem is solved. Coding helps develop this kind of thinking, and these thinking skills are highly sought after.

4. Coding Increases Creativity 

Learning to code is important because computer programming encourages kids to test their creativity and gives them the opportunity to be confident. They get the chance to design something entirely their own. Children experience true gratification when they create something they love. Just like learning a language or playing an instrument, kids need motivation—which coding can provide. Coding is easy, especially for children. When kids learn to code, it boosts their confidence and gives them the chance to create something in fun and exciting ways.

5. The Potential of Computer Programming  

We’ve seen how rapidly the world has evolved in the past two decades. In this age of digital technology, the importance of coding is undeniable. Not just in the tech sector, but there are countless growing businesses around the world that rely on computer code. If children and teens learn to code, they’ll be able to create more employment opportunities in the future. Not only in tech-related areas, but from healthcare, offices, and even your local grocery store, information technology plays a role everywhere. Whatever field your child works in, their coding skills will help in their career. 

6. There is a Skills Shortage in the Software Industry

There is a high demand for experienced computer programmers, and as technology advances, job opportunities are increasing daily. Employees who can code are the future and are highly sought after in any industry. Because there are fewer skilled computer programmers than needed, top organizations hire them at high salaries. If children learn to code at a young age, they’ll gain experience early and be able to build strong careers in the software industry. 

7. Coding Makes Learning Math Fun for Kids  

Coding is the language of math. Skills such as organizing and analyzing data are closely tied to coding. Children can improve their math skills while coding. As kids create their own projects, they use logic and calculation, making math more engaging and enjoyable. 

8. Coding Can Be Learned While Having Fun 

If you want to give your child something fun and educational that will help them learn, coding is the perfect gift. You can read about the reasons why coding is important, but giving them a challenge while having fun is one of the main points! Kids will learn various skills, and through practice, acquire important abilities that can help them throughout life. And if they can learn all this while having fun, why not?

Python Coding

There are currently about 250 coding languages in the world (Source: 1), and the most talked about among them is Python. Python was created in 1991 by Dutch technologist Guido van Rossum. Today, Python’s popularity is due to the fact that nearly every data scientist, from Google and Facebook to platforms around the world, uses this language. It is used as the “engine” behind nearly every major platform and app in the world, and it is fully open-source and free. NumPy, Pandas, Google’s TensorFlow, and Facebook’s PyTorch are some of Python’s most widely used components. About 11 million IT specialists now use Python (Source: 2).

Why is Python the preferred choice for learning to code? The reasons are given below: 

1. Python is a Suitable Programming Language for Children and Teens

In this digital age, the importance of learning to code is increasing. Coding is no longer just for programmers and computer scientists—it’s becoming important in every field. With so many programming languages, deciding which one to learn can be difficult. If your children are interested in coding, it’s best to choose based on their interests—especially an easy language like Python.

Python is a child-friendly coding language. It takes about five to ten weeks to learn the basics of Python programming. If you’re considering signing your children up for a coding holiday program, the following five reasons will help you understand why it’s best to start learning programming with Python:

2. Python is a Straightforward Language 

Your first encounter with a programming language should be as simple as possible. Compared to other programming languages, Python is easy to learn. Its instructions and syntax (the rules for writing code) are relatively simple, making it easy for beginners—even those with no prior coding experience. It uses minimal punctuation, and even has an interactive shell where you can enter and run your code. Additionally, Python has features that let you create simple animations for your own games.

3. Python is Easy to Set Up

Installing Python on your computer is easy. All you have to do is download the software compatible with your operating system. Python’s accessibility makes it easy for kids to practice coding at home. Details: https://www.python.org/downloads/ 

4. No Alternative to Python for Kids Interested in Coding 

Thanks to its user-friendly design, kids can write lines of code with significantly fewer steps than in other programming languages. In fact, kids younger than seven can start taking coding classes and learn the basics of programming. With Python, children can create their own games, animations, and websites, and even integrate ideas with robotics!

5. Python Helps with Academic Performance

Python not only helps children solve problems creatively but also benefits them academically. Python uses English commands, which improves your child’s writing skills. Learning to code in Python encourages concise and structured writing. Python classes for kids also help enhance their math skills, teaching them to visualize more abstract concepts in fun ways—something they don’t always get to do in classroom settings.

6. Python is In Demand 

Python is currently one of the most popular programming languages, widely used in industry. While it’s not yet crucial to think about your child’s career—since their interests may change as they grow—starting to learn programming at a young age will offer broad opportunities for future success. Moreover, these days, Python isn’t just effective in technical fields; thus, learning Python can open up various employment opportunities in the future!

7. Python is Open Source and Free

One issue with software like Matlab or C is that commercial use requires licenses. Even after the effort of learning, using it in a business context often requires an expensive license from the company. On the other hand, Python is open-source and completely free, so you won’t face any barriers when applying what you’ve learned. 

Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you surely understand why your children should learn coding and why Python is an easy choice for them to start with. So, don’t wait—start teaching your child coding today using the methods mentioned above. 

References: 

1. https://careerkarma.com/blog/how-many-coding-languages-are-there/ 
2. https://www.zdnet.com/article/top-programming-languages-most-popular-and-fastest-growing-choices-for-developers/