Why the boost in programming for kids?

Let's talk about programming...more specifically, the programming options that are popping up for kids. Whether it is companies like White Hat Jr., Simplilearn or TensaX AI Academy , developing skills in programming is being encouraged globally.

However, there is a great number of people out there who feel that it is a lot of pressure for kids. With the amount of assignments, activities and extra-curricular work they are involved in at school and otherwise, it seems that learning programming would be an added time consuming activity.

Why do a lot of us feel that?

Part of the reason is that up until about 5-10 years ago, programming was considered to be something that could only be done by extremely advanced coders and required multiple advanced books (which, frankly speaking, majority non coders did not understand when starting out). Learning resources were not available at the tip of our fingers and it was a struggle to get started with programming. Additional challenge was that there was no-one to help out if a novice got stuck with a concept or a particular problem.

The situation has thankfully, evolved. There are numerous credible resources available online and along with that there are several courses which are carried out as a live training session for kids.

"Too much of a good thing..."

Online resources and learning are there....sure. Which one do you choose? With answers and solutions at our fingertips with today's search engines, it is important to figure out which resource and the pattern that are working for you.

With the large amount of resources available, it is important to assess which are accurate and easy to understand. Of course, we have to remember that we are all different when it comes to our speed and levels of learning and understanding. So, the material which pops-up easily in searches, does offer immediate answers to questions and is a great way to get started. However, an in-depth understanding and learning are again dependent on the way the material is presented in these resources. Now, with the sheer amount of resources available today online, even self learning requires some guidance, specially for young learners and first timers.

Therefore, having an experienced and skilled professional who is going to be there to help in finding solutions as well as assist in the complicated aspects, allows for more in-depth learning, along with knowledge and skill gain. This is where the above mentioned groups (and others) play a significant role.

Coming back to "Why programming?"...

Programming is the skill of writing instructions for the coputer to follow. These instructions are called a program or code. Like any other form of communication, there are languages that allow us to communicate with the computer.

Learning programming is a great way to develop skills in problem solving and creative thinking. Also, it helps in developing more patience and persistence.

Seems far fethched, but let me explain how!

When we try and implement a problem in programming, we are focussed on the following:

1. Developing a solution flow/ process that whould give us the desired result (output).
2. Figuring out how to implement the designed solution in the programming language we are using (Python, C++, etc...)
3. Solving and fixing errors related to the rules of the specific language are correct.
4. Analysing whether we are actually solving the problem and obtaining the desired result?

Collectively, these aspects result in all of us applying different problem solving techniques along with debugging (error finding/solving) approaches to write the code. In addition, depending on the nature of the problem and/or the error we are getting, we end up improving upon our research skills as well.

Ensuring that we get a version of the code which does what we wanted it to do, requires keeping patience and consistent work on it. Finally, when the code does work (i.e. does what we want it do!), the satisfaction is uncomparable.

So....is it really necessary to excel in coding for my kid?

No, not at all! If you (or your kids) have no interest in programming, then they shouldn't have to spend time on it. However, it is a skill that is globally receiving attention. Regardless of the industry and/or stream, programming applications are becoming an important part.

It may not be a skill that they want to develop their career in, but it is going to be a skill that will help them out. Think of Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Interenet of Things (IoT) and several other emerging technology, which involve the use of programming.

More than just programming skills, it is a great way to hone-in creative and problem solving abilities.

However, this should not become a pressure point. The moment we decide that this is absolutely manadatory, then it no longer stays a fun or learning experience, but turns into a compulsion that we have to excel at!

So, if you're looking for a problem solving and creative thinking skill building activitiy for your child, programming is a great way to go!

Let them try to say "Hello" to the "World"!