Computers are a part of our lives, and there’s no denial. There’s a wide range of career options in this field, which not only fetches you a high-paying job but also helps you find a solution for an everyday problem or automate a monotonous job.
Since computers are not going anywhere soon, it will be highly beneficial for the upcoming generation to learn to code as we embark on an automated, robotic, and AI-driven world.
If you have ever observed your child showing interest in computers, or technology, the chances of excelling in this field could be higher. So, here’s how you can teach coding to your child.
How to Teach Coding to Kids
If you are looking to introduce your child to coding and do not know when to start. Do not fret. Listed below are the different steps you can follow to ensure your child gets the best learning experience.
Discuss the Importance of Coding With them
Before you introduce the child to programming languages, it is necessary to talk to them about the importance of learning the language. Children learn better when not forced but when they understand why they have to learn something new.
As mentioned above, coding is learning the language of computers, and since computers have a massive role in our lives, understanding how they work will make life easier for the child in the future.
Furthermore, knowing a coding language will give them an edge over competitors in the future for job opportunities and even open up more options regarding future careers.
When the child understands the importance of coding, they will want to learn more about it.
Communicate the benefits of Coding
As mentioned above, the list of benefits of learning how to code is extensive. Apart from the role computers play in the future or the career benefits that come with coding. Learning how to code can teach other valuable lessons as well.
- Coding builds confidence, and since coding is a rationally based language, it helps develop the logical component of the brain. It helps them think to try out new ways to figure out solutions to problems they encounter.
- The skills learned in coding can be helpful in other subjects such as math, physics, and data analyzing.
- Moreover, it nurtures creativity; once the child learns to code, computers stop being just machines that perform tasks instead of being used to create new things. This example of Mark Zuckerburg, the founder of Facebook, illustrates this beautifully.
Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, identified the need for communication apps during his childhood when he observed his parents talk in a louder voice to communicate in the house. He then created a small program called ‘Zucknet,’ which could relay messages from one family member to others in the house without screaming.
Mark’s dad started using this system in his dental office to increase efficiency in communication between him and his receptionist. This shows that coding opens up the child’s brain to think of solutions to everyday problems, leading them to invent.
Introduce them to Computers & Programming languages
Before the child starts learning about the language of computers, they need to know about the computer itself. So introduce them to the computer, the different parts of it. The different functions it serves.
You can take them to museums, stores, workshops or even show them videos online to help them understand better and so them the inner components of the computer. Let them use the computer to type in notes, look up queries online, watch videos, and even play games.
Learning how to code becomes much more manageable when a child is familiar with the computer and develops a genuine passion for it. There are many amazing typing programs are available for kids that help them to learn coding from an early age with ease.
Once the child knows the computer, then bring in the different types of programming language. Explain how the languages function to create what they see on the screen. There are different types of programming languages that serve specific functions.
Once the child learns the basics of a programming language, they can learn the language itself. Whether it is Java, SQL, Javascript, C++, or Python, they will know which language they want to learn and will be motivated to complete it as well.
Provide them learning materials
Throughout the entire process, the child must have access to suitable materials. This can change the course of the entire process. Luckily through the internet, there is a plethora of sources that you can access, both paid and for free.
Sites like Coursera offer certifications for the lessons, which can serve as proof for the future. Other sites include Codecademy, Treehouse, Udemy, Khan Academy, and more.
The best one to kickstart with the basics of coding, such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript, is W3schools.com. I recommend this site because it features an interactive code editor and tons of examples for each topic.
Moreover, you can also buy them books related to programming. A personal visit to a nearby library is always recommended, but if sadly there’s no library nearby, order some coding books from Amazon.
Having a book or a course that they can follow allows them to keep track of progress and ensures that the studying is done systematically and that your child gets the best learning experience.
Connect them with an Expert
Apart from textbook knowledge, another critical aspect in the teaching process is to connect them to the right people. Having an expert will help them get inside information on the relevance and state of coding languages in the world today.
It is constantly enriching to hear from people in the industry. There are countless groups on Facebook, Telegram, various subreddits, and Instagram pages that regularly share coding knowledge.
You can ask your child to join these groups from their social media account and stay updated with the ongoing trends in this field.
For a more personal connection, the child can be enrolled in workshops or short courses in institutes that allow them to work closely with people who have already mastered the subject. Experts can act as a guiding voice and recommend further courses, degrees, and careers that line up with the child’s interests.
Conclusion
Computers are a fundamental part of our lives today and will continue to be so in the future. There is no disputing that. In this article, we discussed the importance of teaching children coding, the various benefits of coding, and the steps you can take to ensure that the child learns to code correctly.
However, it is essential to note that if the child is not interested, forcing them to do something will only make them hate it. You can always introduce them to coding and list the benefits, but if it comes to insisting despite resistance from the child, it will only do more harm than good.
