Digital technology is changing how we live. I know that my kids, they definitely will be better off if they can speak computer. Coding that is.

Coding, like reading, writing or math is quickly becoming a fundamental skill required to efficiently function in a Digital world. With Digital technology encompassing every facet of our lives, it is absolutely necessary that our children are exposed to computer programming at an early age. We learn to write not to become professional writers; exposing children to computer programming is not to make career as a computer scientist or a programmer. The idea is to be able to express their passion using Digital technology. For example, a budding writer could attractively narrate a story using animation rather than plain text.

Computer programming can prepare our children to understand their Digital world and shape it, rather than simply be consumers. Question today most children ask parents or peers “How do I play this game?”; exposure to computer programming will change the question to “How do I build this game?”. Computer programming enables a child to understand the sequence of steps a computer would take to accomplish a task. How does this help a child you may ask? Structured approach to solve a given probelm improves a child’s problem solving skills. It also cultivates creativity as they understand there is no one solution to a given problem.

Coding, like any other extra-curricular activity, say swimming or gymnastics, may seem overwhelming for a child. With sophisticated tools like Scratch, Hopscotch, Unity, it is so much easier to introduce coding to children in a graphical, animated, musical, i.e. fun way. It is time that we stop seeing computer programming as a specialization for a select few instead help our children embrace it and ensure they stay abreast with the Digital technology. Digital Technology is the medium to effectively communicate and express our children’s creation in the discipline or career they choose to pursue.