Why every child should learn how to code

As the world becomes ever-more digitised, the jobs market could look a lot different by the time primary school children are ready to enter the world of work.

It's no surprise, therefore, that UK education chiefs are looking to make coding a cornerstone of the curriculum. Getting a child into coding, however, doesn't have to be restricted to the classroom. It can be done at home too.

What do we mean by "coding"?

You may have a preconception of what "coding" entails. For some, it's an image of a person sat in front of a computer looking at unusual lines of letters and numbers. OK – coding may involve that sort of activity. But it also involves a lot more than meets the eye.

Because of that, a child has numerous possibilities when it comes to learning those digital skills.

For some children, it could mean using a combination hardware and software to create a robot. For others, it's the potential to design and code games and puzzles. If they feel more confident, the skills can be used to make things like smart sensors or countdown timers.

Why coding is an essential skill

It may – or may not – be a hard sell if you're trying to convince your child to start coding at an early age. But there are some good reasons to encourage them. The first reason is that experts predict the UK is facing a "shortage disaster" when it comes to digital and coding skills. So, this means there are great prospects for those young ones when searching for future employers.

One other reason to teach children how to code is the range of skills it can provide. Coding and digital skills are a unique blend of creative and scientific attributes. On one hand, it can teach a young person how to see the world critically; to face problems and how to overcome them. And yet it helps them to be innovative; to think outside the box and find new ways of doing things.

How can your child learn to code

As mentioned, schools are bringing coding into the classroom and providing young people with a chance to learn these essential skills. But it's something that can get started at home too. An option that parents can take is to purchase their child something like a Microbit mini-computer. The aim of products like this is to provide a fun and easy way to learn the basics.

There are also different apps, games, and educational resources that can support young people in their coding journey. Thanks to all these different ways for children to learn, it becomes a lot more engaging and enjoyable. And who knows where today's intrigue and curiosity will take the next generation tomorrow? It could just be the start of an incredible future in coding.