When you think about the skills that kids need for the future, what comes to mind? Obviously, writing, reading, and arithmetic, right? But, what about coding? When you were growing up, coding may not have been considered a vital skill, but today that has all changed. 

Learning to code is now a vital skill that future generation kids need. It’s not only the skill itself that’s important but everything else that goes along with it.

We’re going to take a look at what makes coding so valuable and why you may want to enroll your child in coding classes to get on the right track.

Coding for the Future

As a parent, you always think about paving the way for a bright future for your child. Statistics show the future is bright in the land of coding.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for coding and programming jobs is projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030. That’s faster than the average for other occupations. By getting your child interested and involved in coding now, you’re helping to set them up for a bright future, one with many possibilities. 

Kids may be surprised to discover that every industry relies on coders in some fashion. From software companies to digital products for a variety of industries, coders are needed to program hardware, create software interfaces and encrypt data.

One of the great things about teaching kids coding is that there is so much to learn. While kids will start off with the basics, they can learn these coding languages as they grow:

• JavaScript
• C++
• Python
• HTML and CSS
• R
• Golang

Learning these different coding languages will give kids the tools they need to be successful and productive as they get older. According to Glassdoor, the job of Java Developer is the top job in America. This shows that learning coding skills is a great way for kids to increase their career prospects.

Coding Teaches Other Skills

One of the many amazing things about coding is that it teaches other valuable skills along the way. Sure kids learn to code, but they also learn some other important things too, many of which they may not even realize they’re learning.

Problem-Solving Skills

As kids learn to code, they learn the importance of problem-solving skills. They learn that the way they try to do things at first may not always work. That’s why they figure out how to redo the solution until they find one that works. As adults, we know how important problem-solving is as a skill. 

Teamwork

Teamwork makes the dream work! Kids learn that as they code, they sometimes have to work as a team to finish a project. For some kids, this is not as easy as it is for others. But, through practice, they learn how to get the job done together and how collaboration can make it possible.

Boosts Creativity

Coders are creative people. Children are creative by nature. Combine the two and you have a recipe for success! As children learn to code, they learn how to become more creative individuals. This is another valuable skill that they will carry with them their entire lives.

When you think about coding, consider these benefits as well as how you’re helping to set up your child for a successful future. When you get the whole picture, you’ll see how important coding can be for your child.

Coding at MakerKids

At MakerKids, we offer virtual coding classes for kids in grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. This allows them to be grouped with children in their age group so that they can learn from each other and relate to one another better. Some of the skills kids learn in coding classes include: 

• Storyboarding
• Character development
• Animation
• Beta Testing 
• Environment and level design

We offer coding classes at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels so that kids can work at their own pace. Our classes have a mentor-to-student ratio of 1:5.

If you want to learn more about coding classes at MakerKids, call us at 1-844-MAKERKIDS to schedule a free trial class.