Teaching kids basic coding skills from a young age has been shown to have several research-based benefits. If you’ve ever dismissed the idea because you’re not convinced they have a future in computer science, it might be time to think about broader applications.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a vendor I have chosen to work with. I have received either paid compensation and/or free product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own based only on my own experience.
4 Reasons to Teach Kids to Code Early
A Digital Future
Certainly, our kids are growing up in a digital age where the future job market might very well involve practical applications for computer coding skills. Heck, if anyone had told me at a young age I’d need to learn coding skills to one day run my own website, I’d have spend more time learning this skill early on. Think about how many industries depend on digital technology to report information, inform clients, secure information, and the list goes on…Even a basic coding skill set will be sure to come in handy down the road for our kids.
Developing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Looking beyond future job prospects, teaching kids to code at an early age also helps to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Kids will learn how to think on their feet, adapt and respond, design and redesign. These are essential skills that build confidence and resilience in our kids – skills that will serve them well later in life.
Learning a New Language
Learning to code has similar benefits to learning any other language. Research cites many cognitive benefits such as increased ability for multitasking and improved memory. The language of computer coding is simply a series of commands such as forward –> forward –> turn left –> forward. Teaching young kids how to navigate a robot from point A to point B engages their brain in series of analytical reasoning strategies they can use and apply to other areas of learning.
It’s Fun
I have been known to engage preschoolers, all the way up to high school students in the basics of coding. No matter what the age, it is an easy way to peak their interest while applying the fundamental skills of learning in the process. Preschoolers can use robots such as Cubetto to move around a story map. Older kids might do the same with LEGO robotics. The teaching possibilities are endless and a guaranteed hit with every child who has the opportunity to give it a try!
4 good reasons to teach your kids to code at an early age without a screen @primotoys #cubettoClick To TweetWhere to Start?
The Cubetto is the first tool to teach your kids to code that doesn’t involve a screen! Simply roll out the storymap and program your Cubetto to move around the space! Kids can use the different colored shapes to move Cubetto forward, right, or left. They can even use a repeat function with the blue squares to repeat a prescribed set of movements. Have your kids plan out a route, place the corresponding shapes on the control board to write a “program,” and hit Go!
See it in action here:
When I first introduced my son to the Cubetto he honestly thought he had won the lottery! Several weeks later he still can’t put it down!
When he first started, the coding was a bit random. He really just enjoyed watching the robot move around the storyboard. As he got more familiar with it though, he was able to begin to create deliberate actions for Cubetto. The more he practiced, the better he got. And the reward was certainly inherent in overcoming each challenge along the way!
To make it even more interesting: create a friendly competition for your kids to see who can get the Cubetto to a particular square in the least amount of steps! Or who can apply the best function code? It will teach them to adapt to new challenges and enhance their ability to problem solve! I am so happy to have the opportunity to introduce this ingenious toy to our household. I know it will continue to have a multitude of uses to come!
Do you have an interest in teaching your kids to code? Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think!
XO The Good Enuf Mommy
This looks awesome. My oldest would absolutely love it. I also wish I would have learned some coding as a kid. It definitely would have come in handy now.
It’s never too late! My husband is 37 and just learning now!
I love that this is screen free. My son is really interested in coding but I hate the screen time. This is such a great idea.
Wow! I’ve learned how to manage my blog through lots of Google searches and other people’s kind advice. This would be so cool to learn the basic steps of coding. (I still don;t even know what function means. . . I just copy and paste the code that other people say to use.) Computers are definitely going to be part of the future and, Cubetto is a cute way for kids to prepare.
Omg how awesome is this?!?! My daughter is all into this type of stuff!!! Anything with code and puzzley type things are right up her alley!
Coding is SERIOUSLY like a second language. I wish I would’ve learned more about it growing up because I could def. use it now. My brother did though! I hope that my kids learn it too. This would be a good starting off point – for all of us! LOL