Just a few years ago, if you were asked to describe (or visualize) people who code websites, software, programs or games, what would come to mind? If you're like most people, you'd probably describe a group of men sitting in computer labs, frantically typing before giant monitors displaying screeds of inscrutable text.
Today, coding looks a little different. It's something both young adults and kids are now embracing and with good reason.
If your child has expressed an interest in learning how to code, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out why it’s never too early to learn how to code, and how kids as young as seven can learn coding online with weekly classes!
Why Should Children Learn the Art of Coding?
As a parent, it can be immensely difficult to find an extracurricular that straddles fun and education. Ideally, we want our children’s hobbies to prepare them for the future. Game coding (i.e., learning how to code a video game) certainly ticks each of these boxes.
Through the use of gamified concepts, kids can learn how to work in tandem with other students to create a fun game that, when finished, they can actually play themselves!
In the process, they’ll learn coding skills that can greatly improve their technical and digital competencies — ideal tools for our ever-evolving digital age. But they'll also get hands-on experience that boosts their critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ultimately, by learning how to program their very own game, coding can promote critical mental faculties while teaching students skills that will be useful in countless ways, and all from the comfort of home — which will be ideal as the winter weather moves in.
How Does It Work?
Of course, the nitty gritty and logistics will vary based on which school you opt for. But when kids learn to code games through a specialized school that focuses exclusively on coding for children, parents can sign their kids up for courses at a sliding scale of knowledge — beginner, developing, intermediate, advanced, and elite levels, for example.
Courses tend to focus on industry-standard coding languages, like Visual Basic, Python, Java, Javascript, C#, C++, and Unity, and are often taught over Zoom.
When possible, try to find an online coding course with smaller class sizes. For weekly sessions, four students plus one teacher is a great way to stoke your child’s knowledge and interest while ensuring they get all the help and guidance they need.
What’s the Best Age to Start Coding?
It’s never too late to learn how to code! However, starting when kids begin their early education at school, around the age of seven, is a great idea.
This is when children’s brains are most responsive to learning new information. In fact, some studies have found that some skills, like learning a second language, cannot be learned nearly as well past the age of seven.
Some schools will gladly accept younger students if they’re comfortable with computers and have a solid understanding of problem-solving involved in programming.
The Vital Piece
It's essential to choose the right program. Doing so ensures that your child remains interested and truly develops their skills over the long term.
Learning about your child’s current hobbies can help you narrow down your search. For example, if your kids are interested in Minecraft, a coding course that teaches kids how to code integrated modifications to that game in particular is a smart place to begin.
If your child has expressed a keen interest in coding (perhaps they're an avid gamer, and you'd like to add a fun yet educational element to the mix), why not connect with a coding school for kids? You’ll no doubt be impressed with the results.
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