As a result, virtually every country in the world is working towards a digital economy.
As this new economy evolves, special skills like computer programming are needed.
Early coding languages emerged in the 1940s.
These were basic in what they could do but complex to learn and needed an advanced understanding of maths.
Today languages likeJavascriptcan easily be learned by children.
Nobody can escape the touch of digital technologies.
Its an important skill to have as countries develop.
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So starting young is a good idea.
These then translate into words and sentences which triggers the computer or processor to initiate specific tasks.
There are various coding languages.
Some are so easy to understand and work with that even children can learn them.
Other programming languages that children can use includePython,Ruby, andGo.
Most of these languages can be used to write a series of commands or to develop web applications.
Rote learning is based on memorization of information and repetition, parroting so to speak.
Researchshowsthat rote learning isnt effective because the learner rarely gets to understand the program of what they have learned.
By comparison, codingbuilds logical thinkingas it requires a focus on solving a specific challenge.
This teaches children to evaluate situations from different angles and come up with creative solutions.
They also get to test these ideas and, if they dont work, figure out what went wrong.
Some studieshave further suggested that coding enhances collaboration and communication,essential skillsfor future jobs.
Access and affordability of these are essential.
Governments must invest in broadband so that high quantities of data can be transmitted at high speeds.
Fortunately, there are informal ways in which children can learn to code.
These include boot camps,codelabs, holiday coding camps, and after school coding groups.
In Kenya, independentmodularcoding programs exist for children.
There are also many free online learning tools that children can use such as Massachusettes Institute of TechnologysOpenCourseWareandCodecademy.
Coding is no longer the preserve of computer scientists.
Every profession in some way needs it.
Like other subjects, it is always better introduced at an early age.
This article is republished fromThe ConversationbyBitange Ndemo, Professor, theUniversity of Nairobiunder a Creative Commons license.
