Learning code has become a valuable skill for navigating our technology driven world no matter your age. It empowers people to be creative, manage technological careers, and gain problem solving skills. But learning to code is not just for adults, it is also available for young children and should be encouraged to start young. Children even as young as 6 years old can benefit from learning code skills!
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1. Coding helps create computational thinking
At age 6, children are like a sponge taking in all sorts of information in the world around them. This is a great time to introduce them to computers and code skills. Introducing them to coding at this age helps them to start developing computational thinking skills, including problem solving, pattern recognition,and reasoning.
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2. Coding enhances creativity
Coding can be very creative with different projects available like game design and web development. By practicing coding skills on fun projects, children can use it as a creative outlet and flex their creative muscles! Through experimentation and exploration, they can learn to think outside the box and express themselves, creating a passion for creativity.
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3. Coding builds persistence
As with learning anything, coding can inevitably encounter a challenge like debugging errors or mistakes. By starting to problem solve these errors at a very young age, children develop more persistence when overcoming challenges. They can learn to embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process, and continue to persist as they find a solution to their challenge.
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4. Coding can build communication Skills
As a young child learns code, they can practice communicating with their mentor and sharing their ideas, questions and solutions. This is a great way for young 6 year olds to develop their speaking and communication skills for when they are in school. It also helps to build their confidence in asking questions and expressing themselves in classes or online code clubs.
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5. Coding prepares them for the future
By starting to learn code at age 6, children can have a head start in building a strong foundation in programming. Whether they pursue a career in technology or not, coding proficiency opens doors to a wide range of opportunities, from STEM fields to creative arts and beyond. Early exposure to coding equips children with a valuable skill set that will serve them well in their adult life.
Starting to learn code at age 6 offers many benefits that extend far beyond the realm of programming. From developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills to fostering creativity, resilience, communication, and preparing for future opportunities, coding empowers children to thrive in the digital age and beyond. By introducing coding early, we can help unlock the full potential of our children and prepare them for success in a rapidly evolving world.
