If your child loves technology, performs tasks meticulously, analyzes everything, asks multiple questions, is creative, and shows patience, then they may have what it takes to write become a coder. Of course, fostering their talent can be challenging for you as a parent.
You may buy them a laptop or have them watch tutorials on YouTube, but these methods aren't always beneficial. Even with talent, many children don't learn effectively unless they're in the right environment.
Your best option is to get them into a coding for kids program that's led by friendly, experienced, and passionate teachers. Experts suggest that the best age to start learning how to code is as early as five. However, some children get started at six, seven, or eight. Let's look at some advantages of learning how to code early:
1. Computational Thinking
Experts say that kids who start coding early learn computational thinking, which allows them to take complex problems, understand them, and develop solutions. Here is a bit more about how computational thinking works:
Decomposition: The brain breaks complex problems into more manageable segments
Pattern Recognition: The brain looks for common patterns between problems in order to solve them faster
Abstraction: The brain automatically zeroes in on the essential information before non-essential information
While computation thinking encourages young students to think spiritedly, it also organizes thought patterns. As children with computational thinking grow older, they transfer these skills to solve more complex problems later in life.
2. Logical Thinking
Kids who code at an early age are known to be logical thinkers. Logical thinking is similar to computational thinking. It helps children develop step by step procedures to problems after they've studied them thoroughly.
Even if young logical thinkers don't become computer programmers in adulthood, their ability to observe, analyze, and draw correct conclusions can help them excel in other vocations. For example, good logical thinkers can easily find themselves in leadership roles in organizations.
3. Anticipation
Kids who develop coding skills early learn to anticipate hurdles and avoid undesirable scenarios. In addition, they develop the patience to manage frustrating problems.
4. Creativity
Not everything in life has straightforward solutions - sometimes, you must innovate to complete a task. Coding helps kids think creatively and come up with fast and smart solutions to challenging issues.
5. Organization
While coding teaches kids to think logically and creatively, it also helps them organize their thoughts. This, in turn, helps them apply solutions to problems and explain their thought process to others.
6. Teamwork
Many parents incorrectly assume that coding is all about working alone. On the contrary, coders must learn to work in teams. A program has several scripts written by many coders working together in harmony.
Kids who learn to code early in online coding classes with their peers learn about teamwork. They develop social skills like listening, speaking, and communicating. Moreover, they gain self-confidence when they absorb skills in a healthy environment.
These are six advantages of learning to code early. If your child is interested in coding, then get them started on the path to coding as soon as possible to reap the lifelong benefits.
