We Need to Make Our Children And Grandchildren Masters of Their Fate – Part 4

Summary of Key Concepts and Points:

Why Our Children Should Learn Coding:

• Computational thinking - There is a direct link between the computing required to code and the computing required in a child’s science and math classes;
• Sequential thinking - the sequential thinking involved in coding actually contributes to improved reading comprehension
• Curiosity - being curious is motivating for students when approaching a new topic – it is a prerequisite to learning something new and helps children answer the why of technology;
• But what about all the screen time - there is a world of difference between passive consumption 9watching telly, or youtube) and actively creating, collaborating, and teamwork;
• Coding is crucial to the future – in the new world, people speaking multiple languages in the job market are preferable over those who speak only one. You don’t have to be an official interpreter to benefit from speaking multiple languages; and
• Crack the code while they’re young - Computer science education enhances our children’s ability to think, engages them with hands-on teamwork, and prepares them for a successful future. Who are we to deny them the language their future will rely on?

Related Articles

This is the 4th article in a four-part series on the need to give our children the tools to be as they wish to be.

Part 1 can be found here:

Part 2 is found here:

While part 3 is here:

WE NEED TO MAKE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN MASTERS OF THEIR FATE – HOW?

In this article, we look at why our children should learn to code. Coding is a subset of Computer Science called algorithms – these are the strings of words and symbols that animate the flow and control of the electrons just below the hood and create all the beautiful effects we see on the surface.

Why Our Children Should Learn Coding.

Learning To Code Requires Thinking And Encourages Curiosity.

Though it may surprise you, there are myriad benefits of starting computer science education young. Contrary to common belief, computer coding is not socially isolating screen time. Read on to learn what experts say about the advantages of coding for our youth.

Computational Thinking

“Coding is not just about creating software. It’s about computational thinking,”

“Thinking computationally is a benefit to our logic and philosophy skills as well as more traditional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) oriented concerns.” There is a direct link between the computing required to code and the computing required in a child’s science and math classes.

Sequential Thinking

Reading comprehension and computer science may not seem related on the surface, especially when you are battling your little ones to put down the tablet and get their nose in a book. But the sequential thinking involved in coding can actually contribute to improved reading comprehension.

The ability to order events in a text relates to the skill of the chronological sequencing required in writing code. So you can rest assured that even if your little one doesn’t grow up to be a computer programmer, exposing them to coding is still benefiting their overall development.

Curiosity

Being curious is motivating for students when approaching a new topic. Instead of regarding technology as magical, coding promotes the question of “Why?” when thinking about a particular app or game. “Young children are exposed to so much technology at a young age, that they miss a vital piece of the puzzle,” says Kimberly Chicchi, computer science teacher at Achievement House Cyber Charter School.“Understanding why something works allows you to put it into context. It’s a beautiful puzzle.”

But What About All The Screen Time?

Parents and educators fear screen time’s potential to stunt kids’ development. Picturing your child staring into a screen at school seems contradictory to learning.

“Parents sometimes have difficulty telling the difference between students as ‘consumers’ of technology and as ‘producers’ within the technology space.” Lindsey Handley owns and operates ThoughtSTEM, an education startup in San Diego, and she emphasizes that effective computer science classes don’t involve passive consumption. Instead, they encourage creation and teamwork. Check out these engaging coding lessons and activities to use at home or in schools.

Coding Is Crucial To The Future

At this point, you may be asking, “What if my kids aren’t interested in becoming computer programmers?” What a waste to emphasize computer science so early when we should prioritize universal skills.

However, learning to code is often compared to learning a foreign language. While the language of coding can be learned in high school and beyond, it is easier and more naturally acquired at a young age.

In our diverse world, people speaking multiple languages in the job market are preferable over those who speak only one. You don’t have to be an official interpreter to benefit from speaking multiple languages.

Similarly, you don’t have to be a computer programmer to benefit from knowing how to code. In fact, computer science and technology currently influence nearly every vocation whether it’s medicine, law, education, farming, political science, business management, construction or marketing.

If your child decides to go into a specific computer science career, he or she will have an advantage with a multitude of options and exciting earning potential. Computer-related jobs are expected to grow at the faster-than-average rate of 12 percent through 2024, according to the USA Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reports that the median annual salary for these professionals in 2015 was $81,430, which was more than two times the average for all occupations.

Crack The Code While They’re Young

It’s understandable if you are hesitant about computer science education for your children. Though it’s not what we remember doing in elementary school, the world is changing and coding for kids is becoming more and more common.

Computer science education enhances our children’s ability to think, engages them with hands-on teamwork and prepares them for a successful future. Who are we to deny them the language their future will rely on?