Coding for Kids - it's never too early to learn!

Many people think programming is too difficult or technical for everyday people to learn. Not only is this untrue — it’s disproven each day by children busy building digital worlds online. Coding isn’t reserved for computer nerds geniuses, it’s accessible to everyday people online or in a classroom down the street.
With the advent of games like Minecraft and countless apps that make coding entertaining, computer programming has never been more popular or easy to learn. Experts recommend encouraging children to learn coding for a variety of reasons:

1. It helps kids practice creativity and problem-solving. Just like weightlifting builds arm strength, coding allows kids to use virtual muscles they may not otherwise flex. Programming provides a unique set of challenges to solve, stretching the coder to think in new ways.
2. It’s the future. We are definitely living in a digital age — with no signs of slowing down. Like sewing used to be a commonplace skill for young girls, coding is a valuable skill sure to become a way of life for most everyone.
3. Children learn new skills more quickly. Because of the simple digital interface of most programming learning tools and apps, kids pick up the mechanics of creating with a few simple clicks of the mouse or pad.

As referenced above, new apps are regularly being developed to teach coding to children of all ages… but you can also enroll your child in a virtual course or local class:

• Free online courses for coding, design, photography and game development.
• Age appropriate coding instruction for elementary, middle or high school students.
• At Sylvan Learning Centers nationwide.

Still unclear of the benefits for teaching your child to code? Check out this TEDTalk from Software Programmer Mitchel Resnick. Mitch serves as the head of the Media Arts and Sciences program at MIT Media Lab and is the LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research. (So he knows a thing or two about a thing or two.)