It’s 2024, and the thought of teaching children basic computer skills is almost amusing - have you ever seen a toddler navigate an iPad? Children are growing up with computer skills as second nature and coding is becoming as essential as literacy and numeracy. Introducing coding early can set a foundation for future careers in IT and beyond, however it’s crucial to ensure kids' safety online while they explore these educational resources.
It's projected that by 2030, up to 65% of children entering primary school will work in jobs that don't exist yet, many of which will require some form of coding knowledge. The World Economic Forum has highlighted that programming skills will be among the most in-demand abilities across various industries. Learning to code equips children with problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity, all of which are crucial for their future workplace.
Many resources available now also introduce kids to artificial intelligence (AI), helping them understand and interact with AI technologies. This exposure is crucial as AI becomes increasingly integrated into various industries, from IT to healthcare, preparing children to leverage AI tools and solutions in their future careers.
Teaching kids to code today means preparing them for a future where digital literacy is paramount. Coding skills open doors to a myriad of IT careers and allow young learners to contribute meaningfully to the development of new technologies. Coding knowledge is not just beneficial for traditional tech careers but also increasingly important in fields like finance, healthcare, and even the arts.
Below are some age appropriate resources to help with this:
If your child likes playing games on your phone or tablet, coding games such as Kodable, Move the Turtle and Lightbot will feel as natural as any other whilst teaching programming logic. These games introduce young children to the basics of coding in a fun and interactive way, sparking further interest in IT and technology.
MIT's Scratch iis a free programming tool that runs in any web browser. Children of this age will appreciate its simple interface. It operates on a simple drag-and-drop system, meaning pieces of code that do not work will not fit together. Scratch offers a playful environment where kids can create stories, games, and animations while learning coding fundamentals, a great start for those considering future IT careers.
Another free site, where in their beginner game you have to use spells in code to control your characters. CodeCombat offers a gamified learning experience where kids write actual code and use AI to progress through levels and complete challenges, introducing IT solutions and AI.
The Code Games Series offers affordable board games with 40 different challenges increasing in difficulty. These physical, interactive games will get your little ones away from the computer while still learning about coding principles, encouraging critical thinking.
This iPad game allows children to create a character to help them understand the basic concepts of programming. Its simplicity is perfect for this age group, and it's developed by Apple, ensuring a polished and engaging experience.
Often recommended as the next step after Scratch, Python offers a slightly more advanced interface for children or teens who feel more confident to move forward with their coding skills. Python is widely used in the industry, making it a valuable skill for future opportunities in IT.
This small, affordable computer can help you to learn programming. Head over to the Raspberry Pi website for inspiration, free online courses, and community forums. Raspberry Pi projects range from beginner to advanced, offering a practical, hands-on approach to learning coding and electronics, essential for understanding IT systems.
Mimo is an iOS and Andriod app that offers bite-sized coding lessons on various programming languages and technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, SQL and more. It features interactive exercises, personalized learning paths, and real-world projects.
Between Wordery and Amazon, there is a vast amount of books that can help children and young people with starting their coding knowledge or expanding on it. Here are a few titles to check out:
While encouraging children to explore coding, it's essential to ensure they stay safe online. Here are some resources and tips to help:
For more detailed information on keeping kids safe online while they learn to code, check out this comprehensive guide.
By integrating coding into children's lives and ensuring their online safety, we can equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge to navigate and shape the digital world confidently. These early experiences can lay the groundwork for future careers in IT, Tech and more.
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