The issue of schools offering classes in computer programming has received significant attention in recent years. From schools in Utah experimenting with programming workshops for students as young as nine to President Obama calling for programming requirements in schools, it seems inevitable that we will see an increase in programming options in schools in the coming years. But what are the benefits of teaching kids to code before college? Shouldn’t it only be taught to people who need that specialized knowledge to work with computers for the rest of their lives?
For those who may not be aware, programming is the process of writing an executable function for a computer to solve a problem or perform a task. Put simply, programming makes a computer do something you want it to do. Whether it is adding two numbers together, translating a sentence to another language, or turning a collection of family pictures into a slide show, programming makes it happen. Another term you might hear used interchangeably or in relation to programming is “coding.” Coding is the process of writing a program in the language a computer understands (aka, “code”) in order to implement the program.
Back to the point, though, the fact of the matter is that a majority of people in the workforce will work with computers for the rest of their lives. According to a 2012 study done by Forrester Research, 74% of workers use two or more devices at work (computer, iPhone, tablet, etc). Like it or not, we are living the era of the computer and students need to adapt to this reality if they are going to remain relevant when they decide to enter the workplace.
Why Should Kids Learn to Code?
You may be thinking, “But schools already require basic computer courses to prepare students for using computers in the workplace. So why teach programming?” Simply put, programming is an important skill that translates into a variety of options for each student. I am not saying that every student will use programming when they enter the workforce, because that is obviously not the case. However, schools require math classes and science classes knowing full well that not every student will use the content learned in those classes during the course of their careers. So, why teach students math and science? There are several reasons, of course, but one reason is to help 
students understand the world around them and to build a solid foundation of knowledge while also exposing them to multiple avenues of learning. Given the explosion of computer usage in the workplace, adding programming to our students’ required course load would assure that they won’t simply know how to use programs like Word or Excel, but they will be able to understand how and why these programs work.
Learning Coding Creates More Opportunities
Another reason programming should be taught in schools is that it offers endless possibilities to those who learn the skill. One of the most valuable aspects of programming to those that have learned it is that the only thing that limits their potential is their creative power. In other words, for those that possess the ingenuity to come up with their own idea for a program, anything is possible. There are many examples of individuals using little more than their minds and their programming skills to create a revolution for internet users: Mark Zuckerberg with Facebook, Shawn Fanning with Napster, and Pierre Omidyar with Ebay, just to name a few.
Providing students with the understanding of how to use programs without providing them with the understanding of how they work would be like telling students in science class that plants need sunlight to survive but not telling them why. It is like telling students in social studies that America won its independence but not explaining when, why, or how. Computers will inevitably impact all students in one way or the other when they enter the workplace. Teaching them to understand the “why” and “how” of computers is essential to helping them better understand the world in which they live.
How to Teach Coding to Kids
Having said that, it may take some time for schools to adopt programming as part of their required curriculum. While there are some schools that offer programming or coding as an elective, there are a number of ways a student can learn programming outside of school. For students age 5-8, Daisy the Dinosaur is a fantastic iPad app that teaches the basics of programming. For students age 8-12, Scratch is a very popular website where students can learn to code. Finally, Codeacademy is an excellent online tutorial for older students who want to learn coding. However, if you want your student to learn programming/coding as thoroughly as possible, nothing beats the learning experience of working one-on-one with a private tutor.