Why do we teach our children to read and write? The answer is simple. These are foundational skills allowing our children to effectively interact with the world the remainder of their lives.
For the same reason, we teach our children math, an understanding of their physical world and to think analytically. These are all basic abilities needed for whatever field they choose for their future livelihood.
A Brief History
Several decades ago, computer science class was considered more like a hobby or trade than a serious academic course. Computer science was grouped with classes like home economics, woodworking or auto shop.
The entry into the Internet age changed all that. The widespread usage of smartphones and their associated applications has increased the demands for computer literacy. For example, reading comprehension lessons now incorporate online materials including blogs.
Knowing how to send an email has become an essential part of the curriculum. Today a computer science major is one of the top degrees pursued in the Western world.
With the continued advancement of modern technology, it’s expected to be in demand for some time to come. For many parents, coding has now become an important skill to equip their children where it can someday lead them to a great future job or in the case of app development a big payday.
Online Business A Catalyst
Today any serious business will have an extensive online presence with a website and related social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc). These businesses will require a coding professional who can design and develop the framework of their business website.
E-commerce continues to grow and expand. Tied with this growth is a need for programmers that can not only build and maintain websites as well as determine and establish systems for automated operations and online sales transactions.
With no end in sight for the future growth of online business, more and more offline tasks and activities will be transitioning online requiring coding professionals to develop them. The demand for coding professionals will increase to make the applications needed to meet the growing market demands.
A Promising Future
Your kids are fascinated playing video games, reading e-books, posting selfies and new statuses on Facebook; and watching YouTube videos. They depend on the Internet for entertainment and information. Why not build on this reliance by encouraging your children to learn the inner workings of their favorite app enabling them to gain and maybe even master the skill of coding. There are plenty of interactive games and apps that can help develop children’s interest in programming.
Today’s kids are very “tech” savvy. If properly motivated, they can easily create their own websites revolving around their passions. Such a project will certainly keep them engaged and eager to learn more. Later on, they will be more enthusiastic about gearing toward websites similar to those of companies, freelance professionals, organizations, and retail businesses.
Web development experts such as the AppendTo team emphasize the continuing need for a technically skilled workforce. They believe parents should expose their children as early as possible to the coding learning opportunities. There’s no doubt about it — society will continue to revolve around the Internet, social media, e-commerce and mobile apps, etc. Learning coding early on will provide your children with wider career options and a brighter future.
Did you there is a growing number of teenagers and even some younger children developing apps. Read about 12-year-old Thomas Suarez, who spoke about the apps he had created at a TED conference in October 2012, or check out this kid who sold his app to Yahoo for $30 million in March 2013 by clicking here.
