The Skills That Give Young People an Interest in Coding
Coding and Soft Skills in Childhood can improve chances.
This article is going to cover a few intersections of ways to get kids into coding and the importance of the soft skills for the future success of developers, programmers and software engineers.
It all starts from childhood as we know. I’m not an expert or even a parent, but let’s talk about this.
When most millennials were growing up, the extent of computer class was a round of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. For GenZ and the Alpha cohort. We need to think of STEM and soft skills that will truly enable future programmers to stand out better.
Let’s face it, in an age of Automation we are going to need more software engineers, A.I workers, data scientists and machine learning experts.
Jobs in programming continue to be lucrative and in demand, and there are a number of skills that kids can pick up to ensure they have the best chance of succeeding in the industry.
In the developing world, kids that cultivate a strong interest in STEM fields or software engineering could outgrow poverty and get a head start or high ROU platform in establishing successful careers!
Today in 2022, kids are growing up with computer skills as second nature, which is why some are emphasizing that importance of teaching coding for kids. Are data science and programmers really in demand, you ask?
The Demand for Data Science, Coding and A.I. Engineering Is Still Growing
There’s no shortage of roles in programming. In fact, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ occupational outlook handbook, employment in computer and information technology roles is set to grow by 13% from 2020 to 2030, “faster than the average for all occupations.”
From coding games to Metaverse platforms like Roblox, to after school programs, schools everywhere are encouraging kids to learn how to code. We need to hone in on the soft skills and coding boot camp programs of the future to equip our workforce with the future of A.I.
Programming itself is accelerating still in the 2020s. This sector is expected to add around 667,600 new jobs to the U.S. economy, based on the 2020 summary data provided by the BLS. So what are some qualities we can cultivate in our kids to really allow them the best of what Data science, programing, STEM fields and A.I. engineering perhaps have to offer them?
Get them coding in games
Simulate an avid love of learning
Emphasize the importance of collaboration
Teach them how to self-learn and highlight the importance of being self-taught
Help them let go of perfection and fear of failure
Empower them to pursue interests and challenge themselves
Inspiring Kids with the Big Picture - Being Part of the Future
While governments and organizations have tried to include data science or coding in the middle school curriculum, parents and online communities can also help.
Peer groups that are into the potential of becoming a programmer, data scientist or A.I. software engineer can allow kids to get an early start.
Web3 and Metaverse hype can help on-board kids and young people to get more into coding, data science and developing an active interest in software engineering broadly speaking and the lure of A.I. in particular. Talking to our kids about:
A.I. in the future of society
Gaming communities like Roblox
Web3 and the Metaverse could stimulate interesting goals.
There are also more online resources for teaching kids how to code than ever before. It is safe to assume that most children do not enjoy math, especially algebra. But when it comes to data science, some algebra and a lot of statistics is a major requirement. Cultivating therefore a love and appreciation of the following can help:
Math
Numbers and statistics (in nature for example)
Science and space
Innovation, progress and a history of the internet.
STEM focused aptitudes with well rounded soft skills
There are two major ways I think also to get kids more interested in potential programming, data science or A.I engineer futures.
Exposing them to other kids their age (coding or Roblox influencers) with a passion for those topics (such as on YouTube, Roblox or Tiktok) and just enabling and empowering their natural pursuit of relentless curiosity.
On Boarding Kids into Coding Is Easier than Ever in 2022
Parents don't need an extensive programming background to teach kids to code. But they can enable a curiosity about it and even enable them to complete programs related to it. Talking to them about coding languages, gaming coding ecosystems and Kid influencers that are trending in those ecosystem can really perk their interest.
Lua is a great language for game programmers. And if your child is more about Roblox than they are Minecraft, Lua is used for Roblox coding, and to create a game in Roblox.
Java is one of the most popular and widely-used languages. Actually, how about this...Minecraft? Heard of it? It was built in Java, and with Java skills, kids can learn how to build and incorporate their own Minecraft mods.
Scratch is a block-based coding language that offers a visual learning experience as kids can drag-and-drop code “chunks” to build characters and games.
I’m sure there are dozens of others worth checking out.
What are your ideas on what skills, soft skills and online tools and resources are best at enabling children to get more appreciation and talent for coding and related data science and A.I. engineering professions?