Coding For Kids is Fun!
At first, when you think about it; coding might not seem like the most fun task for a child to do. When you hear the term, your initial image might be something of those programmers that you see in movies; sitting in front of their computers for hours and days, typing and trying to make their code work. If this is the case, then you might be thinking to yourself; ‘how can that possibly be a fun activity for my child to learn. Well, one thing to keep in mind is that coding has come a long way, and for children, there are now several alternatives to the traditional line-by-line coding that we all are used to. With the rise of software like Scratch, learning coding has moved from being the tedious task that it once was and has become, more of a gamified activity that can simply assist the child in learning to code.
Children love puzzles and games because they are a rewarding activity; taking hundreds of pieces and putting them together to form a picture reinforces them positively through a sense of achievement. Solving a problem with coding is just as fun and gives the same feeling of accomplishment.
Gamified Approach to Learning.
Gamified approach to learning as a concept essentially means to make children get familiar with concepts or ideas, through games. In the case of coding, there are several puzzles and video games that are available for children to understand the concept of coding and the basic idea behind programming languages. Children and adults alike, understand and retain concepts in their memory better when it is taught through play.
There are websites like Cyber Square that offer programming courses in a method of infotainment; where children are taught the initial techniques of coding through video games, in which they have to perform a simple coding-related task to clear a mission. This takes out the insipid nature of learning out of the equation. Children are more likely to be motivated in learning something when they are instantly gratified for their efforts.
For example, when a child is playing a video game that has several missions in them and if in one of those missions in order for them to clear, they must write a line of code. When a scenario like this comes up it is very likely that the child will learn to write this specific line of code and maybe even learn it by heart so that he can use the same on other missions to gain an advantage. This is why coding can be such an entertaining activity for children; they are able to learn to code and develop problem-solving abilities, all the while having a blast doing it!
The Joy of Creation!
Ever wondered why children are so fascinated by LEGO and puzzles? Children love the thrill of creation and they can keep doing it for hours. Children and adults alike, seek pleasure through novelty. New experiences and giving life to new elements can enrapture children while they are still at an age where they try to make sense of their surroundings. This is exactly what learning to code can instill in them; coding gives children an ability to create and to put something that appeared as an idea in their young minds, come to reality. Whether it may be an idea for an application or a videogame that they thought of in their dream, having the power to create anything that they desire through a language they are familiar with will only drive them to be more invested in it. Solving problems and knowing you’ve created something that will be used productively by someone else is both exhilarating and empowering at the same time! This drive for creation can fuel the children in their path to becoming a creator and learn more and more about the concepts and the benefits that the programming has to offer so that they can develop or polish their craft as they desire.
The Surge of Self-confidence
One of the best feelings in the world is knowing that you accomplished something great or that you have the ability to execute something really complex if you put your mind to it. Learning to code gives you exactly that level of excitement and empowerment! Children will develop self-confidence and find in themselves an ability to create or find solutions to their problems on their own, after all; coding can help in the development of problem-solving skills in a child.
You grow more trust in utilizing your PC and cooperating with the web, as you see how it works and how everything meets up in the background. In the end, your self-confidence skyrockets as your ability to solve technical issues slowly start to become your stronghold!
So, what’s the holdup now? Coding is already seen as one of the most important skills of the 21st century and learning to code can only help your child in developing themselves positively. And with the activity being so intriguing for the child, there is almost no chance that they will grow tired of it and show disinterest once they get started! Find them a place to start learning to code and let the children be fascinated by the opportunities that the world for programming has to offer.
