This Week, Do an Hour of Code With Your Kids
The world is changing rapidly, and technology is at the forefront of that change. As a parent, you want your children to be prepared for the future. One of the best ways to do that is to introduce them to the world of computer programming. And there‘s no better time to start than this week, during the annual Hour of Code event.
What is Hour of Code?
Hour of Code is a global movement that takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week (December 5-11 this year). The goal is simple: to get students of all ages to spend one hour learning about computer programming and the basics of coding.
The initiative was started in 2013 by Code.org, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation by young women and underrepresented minorities. In just a few years, Hour of Code has grown into a worldwide phenomenon.
Since its launch, Hour of Code has reached over a billion students in more than 180 countries. Famous participants have included Malala, Prince Harry, and even former President Obama. Over 200,000 educators host Hour of Code events for their students at schools worldwide.
But you don‘t have to be in a classroom to participate. Parents can (and should!) do an Hour of Code at home with their kids too. It‘s a fun, engaging way to demystify coding and get kids excited to learn more.
Why Get Kids Interested in Coding?
You may be wondering, why the big push to get kids coding? Isn‘t it enough that they can use computers and smartphones? As a full-stack developer, I can tell you firsthand that understanding how to code is incredibly empowering. But the benefits go far beyond just the potential for a lucrative career in software development.
In today‘s digital world, coding is becoming an essential literacy. Just as we all learn to read and write, understanding the basics of how software works is increasingly important for full participation in society. Coding skills are valuable in a growing number of fields, from science and engineering to art and design.
But beyond the practical applications, learning to code offers many cognitive benefits for kids. Coding helps develop problem-solving abilities, logic, and creativity. It teaches computational thinking — the ability to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts. These skills transfer to any domain that involves analytical thinking.
Coding also turns kids from passive technology consumers into active creators. Instead of just playing someone else‘s video game, they can imagine designing their own. Instead of just using an app, they can think about what kind of app they would build to solve a problem in their community. It opens up a whole new world of digital possibilities.
Perhaps most importantly, exposing kids to coding helps them develop a growth mindset — the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. In coding, every error is an opportunity to learn and improve. This resilience and persistence is valuable for all of life‘s challenges.
Kid-Friendly Hour of Code Challenges
If you‘re convinced of the value of coding but unsure where to start, don‘t worry. There are many organizations that have created kid-friendly coding tutorials and challenges, especially for Hour of Code. Here are a few great ones:
freeCodeCamp‘s JavaScript Coding Challenges
freeCodeCamp, a popular platform for adults learning to code, has created a special Hour of Code challenge focused on coding with JavaScript. Kids can learn through fun, engaging exercises right in their web browser. No setup or prior experience needed.
Khan Academy‘s Intro to JS and SQL Challenges
Khan Academy offers two different Hour of Code challenges. One teaches the basics of JavaScript by having kids create drawings and animations. The other introduces kids to querying databases with SQL, an important skill in our data-driven world.
Minecraft Coding Puzzles on Code.org
For kids who love Minecraft, Code.org‘s Minecraft-themed coding puzzles are a perfect fit. Using the beginner-friendly Blockly programming language, kids learn basic coding concepts as they navigate through the familiar world of Minecraft.
Apple‘s Swift Playgrounds Challenges
For families with iPads, Apple‘s Swift Playgrounds app offers a series of Hour of Code challenges that teach the fundamentals of Swift, the programming language used to make iOS apps. Kids solve interactive puzzles and see the code they‘ve written spring to life.
Scratch Coding Cards
Scratch, a visual programming language developed by MIT, is one of the most popular tools for teaching kids to code. The Scratch website offers a set of printable coding activity cards that introduce key coding concepts through fun, step-by-step projects.
These are just a few of the many coding challenges available. With so many options, you‘re sure to find one that resonates with your child‘s interests. Many of these challenges also offer extensions and additional levels, so the coding fun doesn‘t have to stop after an hour.
The Creative Potential of Code
One of the most exciting aspects of learning to code is the vast creative potential it unlocks. With coding knowledge, kids can create their own:
- Video games
- Websites
- Mobile apps
- Animations and digital art
- Interactive stories
- Robots and hardware projects
The possibilities are truly endless. Coding allows kids to bring their ideas to life in the digital world. It‘s an incredibly powerful form of creative expression.
Take Scratch, for example. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, even young children can learn to code their own interactive stories, games, and animations. Scratch has a vibrant online community where kids can share their creations, remix others‘ projects, and collaborate with coders from around the world.
As kids gain more advanced coding skills, they can create increasingly sophisticated projects. They might code a website to showcase their artwork, build an app to help people in their community, or even create a commercially viable video game.
Learning to code opens up a world of creative possibilities for kids. It allows them to be not just consumers of digital content, but creators and innovators.
Tips for Doing Hour of Code With Your Kids
Participating in Hour of Code with your kids can be a rewarding experience for all involved. Here are some tips to make the most of it:
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Set aside a dedicated hour free from distractions. Turn off notifications on your devices, and give your full attention to coding with your child.
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Let your kid drive the experience. Resist the urge to take over the keyboard or tell them what to do. Let them experiment, make mistakes, and figure things out on their own.
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Offer encouragement and praise effort, not just results. Learning to code involves lots of trial and error. Celebrate your child‘s persistence in overcoming challenges.
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Help them manage frustration. Coding can be tricky, so it‘s normal for kids to get frustrated at times. If they‘re stuck, guide them to resources or encourage them to take a brief break before coming back with fresh eyes.
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Discuss what they learned and created. After completing the Hour of Code, ask your child to show you what they made and explain how they did it. Engage them in describing what they found fun, challenging, or surprising about the experience.
The Long-Term Benefits of Learning to Code
While an hour of coding is a great start, the benefits really come from sustained learning and practice. As a professional developer, I can attest that learning to code is a lifelong journey. But the skills and mindset you develop along the way are invaluable.
Numerous studies have shown the cognitive benefits kids gain from learning to code. They develop persistence in problem-solving, as well as skills in organization, focus, and communication. They also learn that it‘s okay to make mistakes; debugging errors is all part of the process.
Beyond these transferable skills, learning to code prepares kids for a future where digital literacy is essential. Programming is becoming the 4th literacy, alongside reading, writing, and arithmetic. Those who understand code will have an advantage, regardless of their ultimate career path.
And for kids who discover a real passion for programming, the career prospects are bright. Software jobs are growing rapidly, with high demand and high salaries. But even for kids who don‘t become programmers, exposure to coding opens up many adjacent career possibilities they might not have considered otherwise.
Perhaps most importantly, coding empowers kids to be creators and innovators in an increasingly digital world. The ability to code is like a digital superpower. Kids can use that power to make games, build websites, automate tasks, and so much more. Coding is an outlet for creative expression and a tool to solve problems.
Hour of Code By the Numbers
Still not convinced of the impact of Hour of Code? Consider these statistics:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total students reached by Hour of Code | 1 billion+ |
| Number of Hour of Code events organized in 2021 | ~150,000 |
| Collective hours spent learning on Code.org | 113 million+ |
| Percentage of Hour of Code participants who are girls | 50% |
| Percentage of US students with Code.org accounts | 21% |
| Growth in US students taking AP Computer Science since 2013 | 10x |
Looking ahead, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that software developer jobs will grow 21% by 2028, much faster than average. There are projected to be 1.4 million computing jobs available in 2020, but only 400,000 CS graduates to fill them. Hour of Code is planting the seeds to address that gap.
What‘s more, Hour of Code is helping to democratize access to computer science education. Code.org reports that 49% of Hour of Code participants are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. 43% of Code.org students are from high needs schools. Hour of Code is introducing coding to kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Get Coding This Week!
As you can see, Hour of Code is a movement with global reach and impact. And it all starts with individual kids, teachers, and parents taking one hour to code.
So this week, set aside some time to do an Hour of Code with your child. You don‘t need any prior coding experience, just a computer or tablet and an internet connection. Choose one of the many amazing coding challenges, and dive in together.
You may just spark a lifelong passion in your child. Or at the very least, you‘ll help them develop valuable skills and a greater understanding of the technology that powers our world. That‘s an hour well spent!
But don‘t let the coding stop there. After Hour of Code, keep encouraging your child‘s interest. Sign them up for a coding class, or have them teach you what they‘re learning. Help them find coding projects related to their interests, whether that‘s making video games, programming robots, or creating digital art.
Coding is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. But with your support, your child can unlock a world of creative possibilities and set themselves up for success in our increasingly digital future. It all starts with an Hour of Code.