Kids aged between five and twelve years learn faster. This makes it the perfect age bracket to enroll your kids in coding classes. Learning to code is beneficial to kids in many ways. Like some education courses, it improves the kids’ analytical and problem-solving skills. Unfortunately, many misconceptions derail parents from introducing their kids into this practice area. For instance, some parents think kids should have exceptional IQ or math skills to learn to program. Below are the common myths about coding for kids.
1. Coding is for Specific People
As mentioned, most people believe that coding can only be learned by a certain group, which isn’t true. Anyone interested and willing to direct their efforts to learn coding can code. Most people believe that those with high IQ and great arithmetic skills are better at coding. This isn’t true since logical skills can be developed over time by identifying patterns and applying them to different problems.
Leading programming is not different from learning other school subjects. It requires extra hard work and building from basic concepts as you advance. Therefore, students shouldn’t expect to be experts within a short period. Learning courses, such as those from the Coder School, have introductory courses that provide a good foundation for kids to build their coding skills.
Apart from intellectual seclusion, another closely related myth is that only older kids can learn to code. However, just like learning secondary languages, it is widely accepted that those who start sooner become more proficient. Learning programming isn’t different. Even though learning certain text-based languages is difficult and best for old kids, young kids can excel in visual programming languages, such as Scratch and Kodu.
Unlike text-based coding languages, programs on VPLs are written through simple drag-and-drop. That aside, computational thinking is the foundation of programming. Interestingly, programming concepts are applied in everyday life by everyone, including toddlers.
2. You Should Learn the Right Coding Language
Though widely pronounced, there is no right coding language. While different languages are designed for specific tasks and programs written in different languages are unrecognizable, you should understand that all languages revolve around the same concepts. This is why kids should understand from the beginning that coding is all about computational thinking.
Once you understand what a loop, conditional, algorithm, and other concepts mean, you can apply them across visual and text-based programming languages. What’s important is that kids learn coding languages that correspond with their interests. For instance, kids interested in Minecraft should focus on Java.
3. Coding is Boring
Unlike before, where students had to sit in front of monochrome screens with blank command lines, learning to program has undergone significant evolution. However, parents and instructors should ensure that the learning process is fun and enjoyable. Below are coding platforms, languages, and activities that can pique the interests of all kids;
- Scratch – it is a visual programming language that kids can use to develop several projects, ranging from games, animations, amusic art Very young kids can use its simpler version, Scratch Jr.
- Kodu – is a robotic-inspired coding language that uses blocks. Programmers use Kodu to build 3D videogames for Xbox and PCs.
- Java – at the industry level, Java is used for app and web development. However, kids can learn Java to modify and redesign codes in Minecraft.
- Python – is a popular text-based coding language that kids can easily learn. Python is best for apps, websites, and game development.
- Roblox – is a popular social gaming platform where kids can access endless games created by other kids. They can also code and share games using the Lua programming language.
- JavaScript – in conjunction with CSS and HTML, JavaScript is best for developing websites, games, and interactive mobile apps.
4. Coding is Only for Kids Who Want a Career in Programming
Unfortunately, most people think that only kids with programming ambitions should learn to code. Unlike before, digital literacy and digital skills are very important. Kids study math and English in preparation for future opportunities. Education curriculums have also introduced basic digital literacy courses, which enable kids to learn how computer systems work. This helps kids handle their school and work activities.
Therefore, coding is part of digital literacy and isn’t a skill reserved for programmers. As technological innovations invade every sector, right from education, healthcare, tourism to fashion, coding skills give kids an upper hand in their field of interest. Besides, if they choose this path at career levels, learning at a young age prepares them for exciting and luxuriously paid opportunities.
Conclusion
Despite the increasing popularity of programming, several misconceptions can discourage kids from learning programming skills. Unfortunately, following these myths deprives kids of learning opportunities and a chance to grasp various transferable skills that can be applied in school, the workplace, and life at large.