Why Learning to Code Is an Essential Skill for Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs

“You're too young to understand.” “I'll explain when you are older.” “Once you grow up you will realize the importance of XYZ.”

Great advice from well…idiots. Never think that a child is too young to understand or learn. In fact, children are great problem solvers whose thinking isn't clouded up by the “experience” adults once told us we needed.

I believe that children are our future. So true, Whitney. More than we ever know. In fact, children are actually creating our future. Thankfully, the world is starting to recognize that we need to give kids the specific tools to help shape the future. Most namely, the tools needed to code.

When we were children, the goal was to get an education, move on to gain experience, and then become valuable contributors to society. Those are all important goals, but that is no longer the norm. While education is still a major focus, the type of education we are teaching is shifting (and needs to be). One type of education that is needed is coding, and the trend is growing rapidly.

Kids Need to Learn to Code

Don't get me wrong, math, science, history all are important for shaping how we live our lives. However, there are many skills that I wish I had been taught as a kid. I was taught math, but not how to manage my personal finances. I was taught how to use a computer, but never how to code a software program. So while the underlying skills were being taught, teaching the application of these skills is what is important for survival.

Thankfully, today it is a different story. Coding is almost becoming a norm. Code.org is a non-profit organization that promotes coding in education, using its resources to help implement education programs and influence legislators to get on board. It's only a few years out of the gate, but already making major headlines.

“Kids absolutely need to learn to code,” says Jeff Faulconer, VP of Product Development at Poptropica, an online virtual game experience for kids. “It should be mandatory curriculum at one point in the educational process as it helps develop critical problem solving skills.”

Jeff is correct and there are already a number of companies–outside of Code.org–contributing to the effort. Microsoft recently announced a program that uses Minecraft to teach kids as young as six years old how to code.

Isn't Coding Too Difficult for Kids?

Not so. In fact, we are already teaching them the skills needed, just not how to apply those skills to coding. According to Gillian R. Hayes, Kleist Professor in Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. “Children at a very young age think algorithmically. They learn to count, to sort, to create, and yet we often resign them to doing these things only with physical blocks or other materials. Teaching them that these same skills translate to a digital world better prepares them for their futures.”

You've heard the saying that kids are like sponges. If we are able to teach the coding in a format offered by Dr. Hayes, I truly believe they will absorb what they are being taught. But don't take my word for it. Look at how kids are reacting.

Kids are craving this type of education. In fact, trainees are now becoming the trainers. Eight-year-old Samaira is not only teaching kids how to code, she has become an entrepreneur in the process. Founder of Coder Bunnyz, Samaira created a board game that teaches kids the skills needed to master coding.

“Programming skills are important,” Samaira says in her promo copy for Coder Bunnyz. “Because coding today is in everything: in your phone, in your microwave oven, in the car.” She reminds me a little of my eight year old who is currently mastering the format for her own YouTube channel. (God help us all.)

Future Hackers?

Some people disagree with teaching kids how to code. An article in the Mirror recently discussed how teaching kids to code can potentially lead to them becoming hackers. Yup, I had the same puzzled look as you do now. That's like saying we can't teach a kid how to fish as they will probably end up beating someone with the fishing pole.

Me? I say let them learn it. After all, I don't want to be doing it forever and I am sure you don't either. As coding is needed in all facets of business, giving them a head start on a skill that will shape their future is something I wholeheartedly support.

The post Why Learning to Code Is an Essential Skill for Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs appeared first on AllBusiness.com

The post Why Learning to Code Is an Essential Skill for Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs appeared first on AllBusiness.com.