“Everyone should learn how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.”

Aat its simplest, learning to code is simply learning to tell machines what to do. This is important because we use machines in our everyday life such as our computers, phones, and cars.

What are some concerns about kids learning coding? Give two points for each question.

It does not come naturally to most people.

 And those who are less talented can be confused and not know how to work their de

Like anything there are always some cons. One big one that I think would be one is screen time because kids already spend a lot of time on different devices so that means teaching the children to code would mean even more hours in front of a screen. My second concern would be that not every student needs to learn coding. Some children are more interested in art or anything else that doesn’t use coding. So schools should make sure they are balancing coding with other creative critical thinking skills

Pro- Technology is not going away and everything children can learn in regards to coding will help build their futures

Cons- If children do not know how to give directions, they will struggle with coding. So first children need to learn how to describe what they want to achieve, then say how they can achieve their goal with small steps.

Con- screen time is a concern. if it is productive screen time such as coding practices, it is better.

         I did look around on Code.org for K-12 lesson plans in coding to get an idea of what teaching coding might look like and I found myself enjoying the challenges in the games. I played one game with characters form Star Wars. I had to help Rey and BB-8 find all the spare parts lying around by coding BB-8 to formulate a path on a grid to pick up the pieces. Through a bit of trial and error I figured out how to code BB-8 around the grid with ease, mind you this game was made for ages 5 and up. I learned a lot about creating loops and making sure the code was step-by-step and not difficult for BB-8 to follow. Playing this game gave me first-hand knowledge into the pros of learning to code at a young age, the problem solving, attention to detail, and creativity behind it.

However, even considering the pros to learning to code, children so young will need to be taught how to manage their screen time. With our world being primarily digital, adding coding into curriculum would increase time in front of screens which could lead to eye strain or physical inactivity. Children need the social- emotional and physical development provided by recess, hands-on play learning, and interacting with peers.

I could also see the increased pressure behind enhancing your future by learning to code could also cause issues with young children. I know when something frustrates me, I tend lose interest in the project and with children and teens in this digital age, attention span and patience tend to run thin. This can be helped by these fun game lesson plans, such as the BB-8 game from before, but at the end of the day, it is important to remember that kids are still kids. We don’t need to pressure them into overachieving but teach them valuable skills to grow up as computational thinkers.

However, when students are young, there are complications if they cannot understand and comprehend directions. If students are not paying attention and refuse to listen, then they will become frustrated in the learning process, which could deter them from wanting to learn. In the grand scheme of things, younger students do not need to learn how to code if they are starting out on their learning journey. They first need to grasp simple concepts, before they know how to code.

Some arguments for students learning to code can be things like enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They can learn to code, involving planning and testing, which increases their abilities in school and for future careers. It also helps promote creativity and imagination, allowing students to design their own things like games and stories, which allows them to express their imagination freely. 

What are some concerns about kids learning coding?

Some concerns about children learning coding can be the time restrictions. Schools have a limited amount of time for subjects, and some worry that incorporating coding into the curriculum might give the idea that other essential subjects like reading, writing, and play aren't as important. Access to technology is another concern. Not all schools or families have equal access to computers or the internet, which can create an imbalance in learning opportunities for all kids.

Why teach coding?

First, coding builds computational thinking.  Kids learn to break big problems into smaller parts, test ideas, and fix mistakes. These habits carry into reading, math, and even daily problem-solving.

Second, it boosts creativity and voice. Coding lets students design and express their ideas in unique ways, from storytelling to simple games.

For example, I was thinking about having my first graders use a “Bee-Bot” or online block game to code a path for a story character, like “Little Red Riding Hood”, through the forest to Grandma’s house. They would have to plan the sequence, test it, and debug if she runs into a tree! It is a fun way to connect coding with literacy and critical thinking.   The book How to Code a Sandcastle showed this perfectly breaking a big task into steps and loops, showing that mistakes as part of learning.

Concerns?

One concern is screen time and age-fit. Young students still need play, movement, and social interaction, so I would use short, hands-on or unplugged coding lessons.

Another concern is access and teacher training. Not all families or teachers have equal tech experience. Schools need easy, kid-friendly tools and training so everyone can join in.

My takeaway:

coding does not have to mean computers all day, it is about thinking, planning, and problem-solving in ways that kids already love. Start small, keep it playful, and build confidence one command at a time.

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Benefits:

-It builds good problem-solving skills and computational thinking skills. When learning and using code, students learn how to break down problems into smaller parts and how to take things step-by-step. They learn how to test different solutions and revise their work to get to the correct solution. These are skills that can be beneficial for every subject. 

-Another reason learning code is good is that it promotes creativity and gives people a platform to use their imagination and design their own products. This skill can build a career for those who are passionate about it. It can open a lot of doors for students. 

Concerns:

-A concern about kids learning code is that it can add to screen time and become excessive. It’s time spent sitting and working on a computer and is mostly not interactive with peers, so if it's not balanced well, it could become unhealthy. 

-Another concern about kids learning code is that teachers may not have enough training with code and may not be able to provide the proper support for children. It can be a confusing and overwhelming process that can easily become frustrating.