According to study, 76% of parents desire to see their children in STEM-related careers. With a rapidly-increasing number of careers needing knowledge of the latest technologies, it isn’t difficult to understand why. From development to marketing, a large percentage of the workforce today is dependent on technology for success. And technology is dependent on code.
It is safe to assume that that is why so many parents hope their kids will get into coding.
One study shows that approximately 85% of parents encourage their kids to learn coding. But even though they want their kids to learn these skills, many parents are unsure of the best resources to help their child in this pursuit. As the options for coding bloom, there are a number of fantastic options to help your kid learn to code, even if you don’t know much about coding yourself.
After explaining the different categories of resources out there, you’ll be able to determine which resource is ideal for your particular student and begin the journey into coding education.
Coding Classes
Attending a coding class is one of the most effective methods for teaching kids how to code. There are many different types of coding classes and the form and price varies greatly across the board. These each come with their own pros and cons. That can make it difficult to confidently pick the right coding class for your child.
For example, an in-person classes will have teachers who are able to regularly engage with the students. This is a great item in the pros because students can ask questions and get immediate answers! But, live coding classes have set schedules and you’ll need to be geographically nearby. They also require transportation. For certain areas, it can be challenging to find quality live coding classes.
On the other hand, online classes offer flexibility both in the schedule and the location. Many of the cheaper options are recorded classes, which make it very convenient to fit into the students schedule but it can limit their ability to receive feedback on their questions quickly, or even at all!
Live online classes blend the pros of in-person classes and recorded online classes. In a live class, there are set times for the course, but you can login anywhere and receive feedback immediately.
Coding Apps
Coding apps are a fantastic supplemental resource to help kids as they learn to code. Kid’s coding apps are bright, lively, and fun as they teach kids the basics of code. It’s a great introduction but it can be difficult to get past introductory principles even if the platform allows for more complex coding.
In order to maximize the benefit of coding apps, use them together with a coding class to cement the skills learned in class. They are a great practice field to play around with the principles taught in class.
Coding Challenge
Coding challenges or hackathons are great practice to help push students learning code to new heights.
These are hosted events, online or in certain locations, where kids learning code can show off their skills even as they’re pushing out of their comfort zone. The competitive element often helps motivate many kids.
In the course of a hackathon, there are usually one or more challenges that need code in order to overcome. As the difficulty level may vary, you need to find one at an appropriate level for your kid. Challenges are usually hosted by educators. This ensures a learning element in the challenge, so if a student gets stuck they don’t have to stay stuck.
Coding Camps
While coding classes are indeed the most effective way of learning how to code, they can take a long time. For certain students, it can be more advantageous to learn the basics at a quicker pace before they work on more intermediate skills at a pace that increases retention.
Coding camps are like coding classes but much more accelerated.
These camps are sometimes called coding bootcamps. They are an intense and quick-paced course designed to speed students through an introduction of the basics. After such a whirlwind, students will be ready to dig into classes they really want to focus on. These camps save time for students as they teach a wide base of coding skills swiftly.
As they only last for a short period, they’re ideal for students with a chunk of free time. Summer break is perfect to dedicate to learning a new skill.
Coding Books
In the digital world of today, books are a peculiar addition to this list of good coding resources, but this medium has some definite advantages that cannot be overlooked.
For one, it’s a much needed break from screen time. Furthermore, books are a much more in-depth resource than most online guides. This is because the author must include all the necessary information upfront. Links can’t be added to supplemental material.
Books also may be easier to reference since they don’t consume valuable screen real estate. They can prop up on the desk and screens don’t need to be switched out.
Of course, a book is only as effective as the material within it. Knowing which book contains the material your child needs at a level that’s appropriate for their age group can be another quest. Not all coding books are great. Choose a book reviewed as a reliable resource for kids in order to save some headache.
CONCLUSION
Regardless of how your kids start their coding journey, the benefits of learning to code are amazing and well worth it. In this digital age, that benefit will only become more so as time goes on.
Coding is going to be a part of our daily lives for the foreseeable future, and the fantastic resources available are only going to grow. The five resource here will help you get started, but this is only the beginning as there are so many great resources available today. Pick somewhere to start and enjoy your coding journey!
