Teaching Kids How to Code in School? HmM...

By Madeline S.

Adding coding to the school curriculum? Kind of strange in a way right? Teaching us kids how to code things such as games, websites, and even apps. But to tell the truth coding is actually a very important skill to learn. In today's tech savvy world, coding and software developing are becoming more of a craze around the world.  Places like England and Singapore are already adding this most crucial skill to the curriculum. As the years go by, more and more things are being invented, and in order to invent amazing technological inventions you most likely have to know how to code. This is probably why some schools are adding it to the curriculum.

Think about it. . . kids love playing games on their computer or their PS4, but adding coding to the school curriculum will give kids the opportunity to actually create a game. One day I asked my neighbor who is in 1st grade, “How do you think minecraft was created?” and he responded, “From another app.” Honestly, I think that now is the time to get coding into the school curriculum because let’s face it, the world is only going to get more tech savvy as the years go by.  

Based on elementary school kids I know, one might describe school as “boring” or “a big time waster” and I don’t really understand why but that is beside the point. I am actually learning how to code right now and I have to say it is a very exciting thing to learn. What kids think of as boring will turn into something exciting with coding added because kids will actually get to see how their favorite games and websites are made, not from another app but from a complex language known as coding. Just think of the face of a kid when he or she creates a game for the first time.

Priceless.

So, what do you guys think of adding coding to the curriculum? A poll will be released asking what you guys think.

Author’s Note:
This piece is based on a New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/world/europe/adding-coding-to-the-curriculum.html?_r=0. The neighbor referred to in this piece prefers to remain anonymous.