As someone with minimal tech skills, I can manage my Mac and iPhone, thanks to their user-friendly designs. However, I often find myself needing assistance when things go awry. My education didn’t include IT training, and my sole college programming class was so advanced that I decided to quit for good.
Yet, it seems that coding for young children is now gaining traction in education. While I may have missed the coding boat, my children still have the opportunity—particularly my 5-year-old, as the 2-year-old is still figuring out potty training.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that coding is being introduced to kindergartners. My boys won’t have to wait until high school or college to grasp basic programming concepts. As reported by Lisa Martinez for NPR, a wave of computer literacy initiatives and games is now tailored for children as young as five.
One such initiative is codeSpark, created by a father wanting to share knowledge with his daughter. Their software, The Foos, is designed to teach fundamental programming skills to young learners. Coding for small children can focus on essential skills like sequencing, pattern recognition, and if/then logic—core components of programming. Educators argue that by instilling these foundational skills alongside reading and basic math, children will be better prepared for future computer literacy.
Grant Thompson, the founder of codeSpark, emphasizes that we generally allow students around two decades to become fluent in math and literacy, beginning with interactive games and songs in kindergarten before gradually increasing complexity. This method should also apply to coding. Thompson states, “If we approached coding the same way we do reading and math—breaking it into manageable pieces, incorporating fun activities—we could prevent the overwhelm many students feel when faced with coding in high school or college.”
Marina Johnson, a professor at a leading university and co-creator of the app ScratchJr, studies the intersection of children and technology. Her findings indicate that early programming education enhances executive function and sequencing abilities in young learners, enabling them to deconstruct complex tasks more effectively. Improved sequencing skills, in turn, lead to better reading comprehension. It appears that coding fosters organized thinking across various subjects.
Concerns about excessive screen time are valid. I often worry that my 5-year-old watches too many cartoons. Is it wise to encourage him to engage with screens even more? Dr. Johnson acknowledges the importance of hands-on play and has created a robot that can be programmed using physical blocks. Additionally, I’ve recently purchased a board game called Robot Turtles, which teaches programming fundamentals without screen exposure.
While I can’t predict if coding will become as essential as the three Rs for my children’s generation, I’m willing to explore it as long as there’s interest. After all, one day I might need to reach out to him for tech support.
This article was originally published on October 13, 2005.
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Summary
Introducing coding to kindergarteners is an emerging trend in education that aligns with their developmental learning. Programs like codeSpark’s The Foos are designed to teach fundamental programming skills through engaging activities. Research shows that early exposure to coding can enhance critical thinking, executive function, and even improve reading skills. While concerns about screen time exist, many educators advocate for a balanced approach that includes hands-on learning. Embracing coding now may prepare children for a future where tech skills are invaluable.