“Everyone should learn how to programme a computer because it teaches you how to think,” said Apple Inc co-founder Steve Jobs in an interview released two years after his death. Programming a computer, or simply coding, may sound a humongous task for the uninitiated. After all, it involves mastery over computational thinking, which involves breaking down tasks into a logical sequence of smaller steps and inventing new approaches when the first one fails. All this while discarding unnecessary elements. However, for children who are growing up surrounded by technology and learn to swipe and click even before they can even speak, this can be easy. And it seems only the logical step ahead that they are taught how to code.
Learning coding is just like learning a foreign language—the earlier you start, the easier it is. Children are absolute naturals when it comes to handling smartphones, laptops and tablets, and the lockdown has given them ample time to spend with the computer as they attend their school online. It is time they are given the opportunity to nurture their skills so that they can instruct the computer in the language it understands. And contrary to several beliefs, learning how to code will not “only” turn them into smart software engineers in future, but “also” prepare them to be great artists, doctors, painters and teachers. Computing powers nearly every industry—from education to farming, from law to business, and from construction to medicine. So, coding will help children excel at anything they do in the digitally connected world.
As schools and parents worldwide are fast understanding this need, what’s being witnessed now is a change in the school syllabus with more stress on learning computation. The toys that children get to play with are fast changing from the likes of simple building blocks and Chinese Checkers to “smart toys”, which are brightly coloured programmable plastic robots, apps and even board games that promise to give children a head start on coding.
This growing understanding works as a great head-start even as more and more adults worldwide are downloading coding lessons from the internet that aim to increase access to coding skills. At a time when venturing out of homes is a severe health concern, learning online, in the comfort of the environs that best suit the child, is a great solution.
To learn the nuances of coding, HT has learning modules that parents can share with their children. While from one module a child can learn how to create amazing websites, another will guide them to build their own games. HT Codeathon, India’s first-of-its-kind coding initiative for school children, is an exciting learning forum that also provides scope for competition through its Olympiad. Here, budding coders can showcase their talent to accelerate their path to success. Parents can get their children registered for sharpening their coding skills by watching videos and taking quizzes. The more one practices, higher is the chances to be a Codeathon Champion. The top finalists would beat each other to become that champ.