Why Should Every Kid Learn to Code - OWIS

In Singapore, international schools have become very popular, especially amongst ex-pats. It is because of the well-rounded and global education provided here. Singapore's education ministry made coding compulsory for students in schools, and it now is one of the things taught to students in primary school. Primary school coders are way more common than one thinks.

The rationale why Primary School children should code expanding digital literacy is an essential tenet of modern education. There are many reasons why Singapore international schools and local schools start coding among children at an early age.

Here are a few research-backed benefits for the same:

1. Coding Enhances Problem-Solving Skills

Coding is undoubtedly one of the most upfront ways for children to work on their problem-solving skills. Efficiently solving or tackling an important issue at hand is what problem-solving is all about. A child will develop sharp problem-solving skills that permeate into other skill sets, such as emotional intelligence, creativity, research, teamwork, decision-making, and collaboration.

When the child is programming, they are continuously challenged and asked to find solutions to problems. They learn the art of breaking a big issue into manageable sub-problems and then address them through identification, prioritization, and solution implementation. The first coding challenge empowers them to solve problems.

Even if children do not want a career in coding, practising coding from primary school will help them build highly-transferable perceptive skills.

2. Coding Stimulates Computational Rational

Computational learning is about expressing problems in the same fashion that a computer would. They understand the fundamental process patterns by breaking down the more significant issue into smaller subproblems. Coding helps boost the child's grasp of computational learning.

Children can start by solving simple puzzles on paper, graduate to board games, and eventually carry out some complex solutions on computers. This process guides learners through progressively complex algorithmic activities and better comprehension of such problems.

3. Coding Stimulates Perseverance and Persistence

Coding is one of the rare professional disciplines where it's entirely okay to fail constantly. It is because it is immediately recognisable. When a program "breaks," it does not work as intended, and one can only achieve success after handling every error.

As long as every bit of the program is not okay, the code won't run as intended. It prepares children for the future – plans do not go as intended, and every aspect of it needs attention multiple times if need be, and one tends to give up or get frustrated. When a child learns to persevere at a young age and not give up until they have found a solution, only then can they exhibit the same in the future?

Coding helps people to follow through on their commitments, despite repeated failures.

4. Coding brings out the Creative Side of a Person

As you grow older, creative juices slow down. Children tend to be way more creative than us. As we age, we play it safe and go the tried and tested route. Creativity is an essential skill that unleashes effective and rapid solutions to problems. It can do wonders for your life's goals, both professional and personal.

Coding helps preserve kids' creative skills even when they grow old. That is why experts suggest that children in primary school should learn to code. Developers are essential 'world builders' or "creators" in a programming setting requiring an experimental mindset and creative thinking. After learning the basics, developers are constantly experimenting to improve the code. Since they get real-time feedback as they move along, they work their way around challenges.

5. Coding Helps the kids with Digital Literacy

Technology is indispensable. Whether our work, communication, social connectivity, banking, the economy, or any other industry in the world, digitisation has permeated every layer of our being. To survive the modern world and cope with constant evolution, engaging with and understanding technology is not just a good to have skill but a necessity to navigate a more and more digitised society successfully. Children need to be digitally literate and fluent in technology.

Coding may not have risen to the forefront just yet, as a daily necessity but will indeed become one shortly. Today every communication online is facilitated via coded programs. It is only reasonable to assume that programming will become an essential literacy, like internet research or navigating a social media platform.

Annette Lee, the author of Coding Literacy, aptly quoted, "If you don't know how to program, you can carry on perfectly fine with life. But this is soon going to change." It should motivate kids to get ahead of the literacy curve and learn how to code.

6. Coding is a Crucial Skill for Building a Career

The world is driven by technology overwhelmingly, and in such a digitized world, one cannot underplay the importance of programming. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers' job openings are expected to grow 21% between 2018 and 2028, four times the average growth rate for any other career.

However, coding is not just an option for kids looking to become full-time developers. Coding can benefit any profession. Being programming savvy and knowing a code or two is valuable, irrespective of your child's job interest or educational background.

7. Coding Augments a Child's Communication Skills and Confidence

Coding is not the job of individual contributors. It is a popular myth associated with coding. Coding is far from a solo activity as most software programmers work collectively in teams and strive to achieve organizational goals.

A developer's performance is intimately tied to team dynamics, and businesses must take care of the other to improve one. It may not be a group activity, but the actions of one are dependent on and influence others.

Ensuring your child is in a coding class is a great way to develop their communication and team-building skills. And everyone is well aware of the benefits of well-tuned communication skills.

Conclusion

All of the above stand testament to the fact that coding is one of the most constructive hobbies for your child as it helps them persevere, communicate, be creative and solve problems.

23 Aug 2022
SG Expats