Why Kids Learning Code is just as Important as other Extra-Curricula Activities

Students With Headphone Watching Laptop

The purpose of this blog is to inform our audience about the demand for young minds who know how to code, especially as our world continues to advance in technology. 

As parents we can constantly struggle with juggling all the balls of our kids schooling including homework as well as extra-curricular activities.

During the current circumstances of having to think about social distancing in an after school setting, a zoom after school activity may be a good fit for your family.

So how do you choose what’s important for your child during this pandemic time and beyond and why is kids' learning code just as important as other extra-curricular activities? Let’s take a look.

Kids Coding Teaches Valuable Lessons for the Future

It’s great for your child to participate in sporting activities, and these are extremely important for their health as well as social and emotional development, but kids learning code is just as important. The reason for this is that coding teaches valuable transferable skills that are in desperate need in the workforce out there when they leave school. Coding is the new literacy and doesn’t just teach kids computer languages but it helps them to think critically, solve problems and enhances creative thinking skills, all essential skills for their futures.

Help them to Develop their Identities and Self-Esteem

Kids coding gives them the opportunity to develop their identities and self-esteem too by allowing them to be creative and gain immediate gratification from their input which in turn gives them a good old boost of self-esteem, helping them feel good about their efforts and what they’ve created.

Kids become more Collaborative Workers

There’s no doubt that when entering the workforce you need to be able to work collaboratively with peers, and kids learning code teaches them the essential skill of working together to create amazing games, apps and much more. When kids are learning code they work side-by-side with instructors and other kids in order to see their creations come to life.

Improves Interaction Skills

When kids are learning code they are improving their interaction skills. Interaction skills are important as it helps kids to make new friends and in some cases as their interaction skills improve they can even stop being bullied at school. Interaction skills are critical for preparing kids for the future.

Improves Contribution in Class

As kids become more confident in their abilities when learning code, this magically helps them in the classroom. They can see their creations come to life and this improves their self-confidence. You might find that your meek and mild child starts to contribute a whole lot more in the classroom environment as they feel more confident within themselves.

Improves Levels of Commitment

One of the skills that are important for tomorrow’s leaders is the ability to commit to something and stick to it. When kids learn to code, they will learn the art of commitment and stick to what they are doing, and not just give up as it is so engaging. As they are getting immediate gratification this encourages a level of commitment that will set them up for their futures.

Helps with College Applications

Kids learning code is the new literacy, as we’ve discussed before and having this in their college applications will give them a competitive advantage. There is a supply and demand challenge with programmers, and it is believed that by the year 2020 1 million jobs in coding won’t be fulfilled, so now is the time to get them to learn this all important skill. Not only does kids learning code help with programming jobs, but the skills they learn will be relevant across most jobs in the future.

As we’ve discussed the benefits of extra-curricular activities, especially coding, goes beyond the process of secondary school, but rather enables students to gain knowledge and develop skills that allow them to gain knowledge in specific areas which inevitably shapes their further development. Coding develops social, emotional, and intellectual development.

Virtual After School Classes are a good fit during a Pandemic

Going virtual may be a better option to minimize the risk in an after school setting. We can teach a class remotely at your school, or your group can meet once they get home and log onto zoom with a coding instructor.

Questions?

Contact Me via Email: fernando@happycodeclub.com 

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Happy Coding with Brittany-

GRADES 1-2 STARTS DECEMBER 15. EVERY TUESDAY AT 6 PM FOR 4 WEEKS. FREE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, HOMESCHOOLS.

GRADES K

Hello everyone! My name is Brittany, and I am a Co-founder and instructor for Happy Code Club. In this class, we are going to learn the basics of Scratch to start your coding journey! We will break down coding concepts in a way that is easier to understand through a series of fun, creative, and engaging projects that are all created the way you want! It is your creative masterpiece. Students will have access to a recording for each class in case they want to rewatch the class or weren’t able to attend on a specific day. We will all learn coding together!
Technology required: Wifi, Chromebook, pc, or mac, two button mouse is recommended. (no tablets please). Registration is open through Dec 13 so don’t hesitate and register now. Please feel free to email brittany@happycodeclub.com if you have any questions, comments, or concerns!

Happy Coding with Brittany-

GRADES K STARTS DECEMBER 15. EVERY TUESDAY AT 5 PM FOR 4 WEEKS. FREE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, HOMESCHOOLS

GRADES K

Hello everyone! My name is Brittany, and I am a Co-founder and instructor for Happy Code Club. In this class, we are going to learn programming through a very kid-friendly app and other resources to get their brains thinking about code. We will create a variety of projects using basic block codes and play games that focus on problem solving and critical thinking. This program is designed to be the very first step in their coding journey without being overwhelming or too
advanced! We will all learn coding together!
Technology required: Tablet only. Registration is open through Dec 13 so don’t hesitate and register now. Please feel free to email brittany@happycodeclub.com if you have any questions, comments, or concerns!

Happy Coding with Brittany-

Game Design with Scratch Jr.

Grades: 3-5

Introduction to programming with Scratch will show you around the interface and have you making a fun project in minutes. This easy to learn program is super fun as it allows you to create artistic characters, scenes, and objects and animate them with computer code.
If you are curious about what coding is or simply want to try something new, this is a fun class to try. See why millions of students from around the world are sharing their awesome creations on the Scratch platform. The creations students make range from Stories, Games, animations, music and more! Get your creativity hats on and come and check this out!

Technology Requirements: Chromebooks or PC or Mac with wifi and a two button mouse recommended.

Links to class tools used Scratch Zoom Client installation

Prerequisites: No previous experience necessary. Ability to use a two button mouse; ability to hold objects on the screen and move them with left mouse button and keyboarding isrecommended.

Happy Coding with Fernando-

Intro to Game Design in Scratch

Grades: 3-5

Introduction to programming with Scratch will show you around the interface and have you making a fun project in minutes. This easy to learn program is super fun as it allows you to create artistic characters, scenes, and objects and animate them with computer code.
If you are curious about what coding is or simply want to try something new, this is a fun class to try. See why millions of students from around the world are sharing their awesome creations on the Scratch platform. The creations students make range from Stories, Games, animations, music and more! Get your creativity hats on and come and check this out!
Technology Requirements: Chromebooks or PC or Mac with wifi and a two button mouse recommended. Links to class tools used Scratch Zoom Client installation
Prerequisites: No previous experience necessary. Ability to use a two button mouse; ability to hold objects on the screen and move them with left mouse button and keyboarding is recommended.

Happy Coding

Winter Dates: Nov 30 – Jan 28

This winter join students from other schools in a zoom class that you can take from your school or home.
This after school club is free for public schools classrooms Grades 3-5 and it will be run for 6-8 weeks in Winter and Spring of 2021 Taught by Happy Code Club teachers with experience in various subjects including Scratch, Python, codehs.com, code.org, Robotics and more.
Winter Dates: Nov 30 – Jan 28