Teach Kids to code, but teach them the right way

It’s no secret that understanding how to code is increasingly essential for the modern world. Many parents may be asking why should we teach kids to code? Not only could coding lead to higher salaries and more job opportunities, but it can also give children a leg up when honing their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. However, while many adults – especially parents – are aware of this growing importance and look for ways to get their kids into coding, they may not be familiar with what constitutes proper teaching of coding or which methods will yield the best results.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why kids should be taught the right way – covering everything from the benefits of engaging course materials through code-based activities, as well as different teaching modalities essential for learning how to code successfully. Dorset Tech believes that there is and has been for some time a big misunderstanding of why you should teach your children to code but it’s now or never.

Here are my top 5 reasons why we should teach kids to code, but the right way;

• Developers are high in demand

With the rapid growth of websites and apps in today’s digital world, developers are in high demand. The need for platforms created by web developers and app developers to meet the daily needs of users all over the world is becoming increasingly necessary. Developers continue to provide modern solutions that improve user experience and increase business efficiency. These changes are evident as businesses conduct more services online and allow employees to work remotely using technology tools designed by developers. It’s important to understand these advancements, as they will shape the future of tech usage worldwide.

• High average wage of developers

Depending on where you get your stats, the average wage of a software developer is between £30k-£47k. Having spent a lot of time in the industry I can say that these figures are optimistic and London-biased, but you’ll still earn good money. Games, Software and App developers tend to earn the most, with Web Developers covering a huge range from £20k all the way up depending on their skills. A realistic average outside of London is probably around the £25 – £30k mark.

This is in part due to the current shortage of experienced developers in the job market. It also reflects the software development business’s complexity and demand for quality. Companies are willing to pay top money for experienced developers with unique technical acumen and creative problem-solving skills. With its lucrative opportunities, software development continues to be a highly attractive career choice for those with an aptitude for technology-related fields.

• It’s a life skill

With the forever-changing world of technology, new things get invented and made meaning new problems arise, as the problems arise more logical developers will be needed. Understanding a Programming language can help you develop logical thinking, and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to be able to understand why some things go wrong and then how to fix them. Companies around the world will be needing new apps and websites which will, in turn, make more problems, the more knowledge you have of programming the easier it will be for you to find the problem and solve it.

• Taught well in primary schools, but then tails off

Teaching young minds is one of the most important jobs in society, and it’s crucial to set them up with a good foundation to guide their learning in later life. In primary Schools, they focus more on the fun element and getting them interested in the developing world using things like Scratch to engage and teach the kids basic programming principles such as what variables are. Unfortunately, the educational system can often fail in this regard. In many cases, pupils learn plenty during primary school only for their knowledge to tail off as they continue through secondary school, college and beyond. It’s a shame that lessons taught so well at earlier stages are somehow not as effectively reinforced in later years – but it does not have to be like this. With the right approach and enthusiasm from all sides, knowledge acquired at an early age could remain fresh forever.

• Teaching the wrong tools

C# (C Sharp) is a well-established programming language and was used in various contexts, so it’s no surprise that it is often taught in schools. However, most development jobs are in web development where PHP has long been the dominant language, with 78% of websites running on it. Schools should consider incorporating it into their curriculum, either as a standalone subject or as part of existing computer science courses, to give students exposure to the increasingly important language of the internet.

Summary – Teach Kids to Code

In conclusion despite the ever-increasing demand for trained developers, there is still a lack of attention – particularly in High Schools and Colleges – given to coding and other tech proficiency. It’s essential that more focus is placed on these topics, and not just confined to C# alone. With new skill sets and life hacks under their belts, students can enter a competitive job market with confidence in their abilities. Additionally, the high average wage for developers in most countries means that investing time in learning coding will be financially beneficial too. Learning to code is quickly becoming an invaluable asset both professionally and personally as the technology continues to adapt and evolve developers are in even higher demand and that demand will only get higher.

There is an endless opportunity for those who know how to code as new business demand the need for websites and apps, developers are quickly becoming well-needed and respected and yet the education of this topic remains untouched or taught but with the wrong content.

Next Steps

While we’re not going to change the education system overnight, we can at least get our children interested in coding from a young age. Club Hub has a vast selection of kids coding clubs across the country and many of them are taught by developers too!