How do I best prepare my child for the future? Is there a way to teach them the crucial skills? Why do I read about programming all over the place? These are the questions parents often find themselves asking. Many renowned experts, who understand where our world is going, claim that a child’s best bet for better chances in the future is called ‘learning to code’.

“I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” – Steve Jobs

With computers taking over the world (be brave!), we people need to have a better understanding of how technologies work. It is not necessarily being able to build and program a whole computer by yourself, but having the skills to create, not just use technology, and translate creative ideas into technical execution. Thus coding has basically become an essential 21st-century skill.

No matter what field future employees work in, they will almost definitely use technology as part of their daily jobs. The job market is already loaded with to-be-filled IT positions, as well as other jobs, that require a basic understanding of coding. The best thing a parent can do for their child nowadays is to introduce them to programming.

The ability to code will not only bring material benefits but also a great deal of in-demand skills. Firstly, children will learn to use their minds more effectively. Besides reading, writing, and arithmetic, it’s the digital basics, that every child should learn early on. These skills are already considered to be the fourth and newest type of literacy. Through coding and debugging the algorithms, kids will acquire outstanding problem-solving skills.

Unlike the common stereotype, coding is not necessarily a lonesome process. Figuring out a program together with their peers, children gain the ability to work well in teams. Little coders learn to communicate their ideas and concerns effectively while listening to others.

Through all this effort kids put into coding and bringing their daring ideas to life, they gain confidence and feel more competent. If they see they are capable of making their own code work, or building their own robot and making it work, is there anything else in life, that they couldn’t tackle?