5 Most Common Myths About Teaching Coding to Kids
Coding is a set of skills that people learn in order to interact with computers and create new and unique computer applications. And like any other skill, coding is seeped into creating stable income opportunities for people and developing them into financially independent and skillful individuals.
Nowadays, especially, the value of learning computer programming is increasing rapidly. We are surrounded by technology to the extent that most of our lives are dependent on it. Therefore, besides academic knowledge, kids can also learn to code to be successful in their future, regardless of their career choice.
Nevertheless, there are a few myths attached to coding that restricts parents from teaching their kids to code. Here are five such myths and the truth behind them:
Too young to code
Many people think that kids at the age of 4 to 10 years old are too young to be exposed to coding. However, this is entirely untrue. Just like any other language, computer programming languages need to be introduced sooner to kids for them to grasp the basics and develop on what they learn. Just as we teach kids to speak in English at an early age, teaching kids to code can help them become well-versed coders as they grow up. Many researchers also believe that exposing kids to coding at an early age improves their critical thinking and creativity.
Coding is for kids with high IQ
When it comes to learning to code, most people tend to see it as a subject that is reserved for high IQ, gifted individuals. However, in reality, anyone with an enthusiasm for computer applications can learn to code. Kids can and should learn to code regardless of their personality traits and interests because besides solidifying a career in computer-related jobs, coding also teaches kids to be patient, collaborative, communicative, and determined in the face of problems.
Coding is for gifted individuals
Expanding on the previous point, coding is also seen as a skill that only gifted kids can undertake. We have an image built inside our minds that see coders as people who are highly intellectuals. The truth is that any kid who is guided properly and practices regularly come become a decent coder within months. Kids can start with user-friendly and interactive games and move on to more advanced programs after having learned the basics.
Coding lessons are expensive
Multiple platforms offer entry-level coding classes for kids at an affordable price. You can also send your kids to summer camps and enroll them in coding classes so they can learn computer programming with their peers and friends. If you don’t want to invest any money in computer coding classes for kids, you can opt for the vast amounts of content present online that aim to teach the basics of coding to kids. Programs like Scratch and Blockly also offer a free gamified and interactive way to teach kids the basics of coding.
Computer languages are difficult and complicated
Most people don’t know which language they should be teaching their kids first and how should they move forward with it. One of the best places for kids to start coding is with block coding languages. Block coding clarifies the fundamental concepts of coding and computer programming by getting kids to move blocks in a particular order. The lessons children learn from block coding can be evolved into different projects. As soon as the kids have learned and understood what coding is and how it works, they can choose their preferred computer language to improve upon their skills.
