5 Everyday Life Skills Your Child Will Gain by Learning to Code

You might think you’d only teach a child to code if you wanted them to be the next Silicon Valley hero. But did you know that coding actually helps kids become better learners? And gives them skills they can apply to every aspect of their lives?

Programming teaches young people how to problem-solve, it encourages them to be organized, and it gives them situational awareness skills. Also, let’s not forget that creating a computer program is, above all, a project.

As adults, we know that project creation often comes with lots of unexpected problems, but that’s a lesson our little ones have yet to learn. So what better way to introduce them to it than the creation of a piece of code that has no consequence beyond the screen in front of them?

Developing video games or animated films motivates kids, and simulates the perseverance that comes with big ambitions. And the best part? Your child can do this learning independently. (They may, however, need your encouragement to overcome a few hurdles along the way.)

Here are five life skills your child with gain by learning how to program:

1. Self-confidence

As a child’s programming skills progress, so does their way of understanding problems. They’ll learn that no problem is as complex as it seems and it will help them find a simpler path to a solution. On top of that, their ability to analyze situations will also improve, which will be a great boost to their self-confidence!

2. Perseverance

Coding issues will never (ever!) fix themselves. Now while this might have a negative ring to it, it’s actually a fantastic way to teach your child to never give up. Tinkering with computer bugs will also teach them that they can solve tomorrow what they didn’t solve today.

3. Organization

A code won’t work if there are missing pieces or if items are out of place. And if your child waits too long before bringing order to their program, it will become incomprehensible - not only to others, but to themselves. (A bit like their bedroom floor!)

4. Patience

Despite their intelligence, computers are cold, emotionless machines - they’re can’t sense the human frustration that comes with coding errors. Your child can make faces and grumble all they want, but the machine will stay cool, calm and collected. No solution will come from your child getting upset, so patience acts as the starting point to a successful coding experience.

5. Logic

An essential component of coding, logic is one of the fastest skills that can be reflected in real life. It's as simple as this: every action has an immediate reaction. As your child will watch how elements interact, putting two and two together will lead them to exercising their logical thinking.

We do need to warn you - learning to program won’t solve all your parenting issues. But your child will be confronted with all sorts of little challenges in life, and their coding adventure will play a key role in understanding them, finding the correct solutions and finally - overcoming them.

The programming world is like a miniature version of the environment around us: ambition and perseverance are essential, and imagination is the only limit. So get coding!

And if you’re looking for a social environment for your child to learn more coding skills with a group of other kids - why not sign them up to your local Code Club? If there isn’t one in your area, you could even start one with a local community centre or library. Coding experience isn’t necessary - we provide the projects, all you need to bring is an openness to learning!