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Why would anyone want their children to learn how to code? Sincerely. Why? I rather have my kids play outside, enjoy the nature and our beautiful planet. This

Why would anyone want their children to learn how to code? Sincerely. Why? I rather have my kids play outside, enjoy the nature and our beautiful planet. This is, of course, a projection of my dissatisfaction with the industry as a whole, but I think it's still valid.

lelandfe 5y ago
I’m teaching my nieces how to code because it’s what I’m good at and I like spending time with them If I lived in the same part of the world as them, I’d definitely be playing with them outside too :)
dashwehacct 5y ago
I think your comment is valid. I have thought about this too, and I think the reasoning is as follows. Teaching kids to code empowers them to think differently about the world. Rather than navigating this technological this world as an end user, coding gives them a glance into the behind the scenes stuff and thus allows them to contribute to the evolution of this world. But your right. IMHO Nothing beats a hike in the woods, or better yet learning to build something from raw materials found in the woods (which in turn could have the same effect).
RcouF1uZ4gsC 5y ago
You talking about having coding replace outside time. However, if you look at where most kids spend their time, a lot of it would be in front of the TV or watching online videos or playing games. I think the people who want kids to code, want coding time as a replacement for watching mindless videos, not as a replacement for outdoor time. So your kid plays outside and then comes in and instead of watching another toy unboxing video, codes up a simple game they can play by themselves or with their friends.
- dashwehacct 5y ago
  This is pretty accurate. As a parent, offsetting your kids use or involvement with a particular activity tends to only work if you provide them with an equally interesting alternative. Simply telling your kid to limit their use of a device only goes so far.
MarcellusDrum 5y ago
I don't think these 2 things are mutually exclusive. I can teach my children to code for a couple of hours on Saturday and Sunday morning, while they get to play outside in the afternoon.
lupire 5y ago
Why would anyome want their children to learn to read or write or play an instrument?
josh_p 5y ago
No reason why kids can't do both. My four year old said she wanted to make a game with me because she loves games (and dad's a programmer). So I started a project in Scratch and told her a little about the blocks and we got something moving on the screen in an afternoon. It was magical for her to have an idea and see it come to life, just a little bit, on the screen. Yes, I'm doing 95% of the work and I know most of the programming concepts are lost on her, but even if she's picking up a tiny bit of logic it's worth doing with your kids if they're interested. It still feels like quality bonding time.
bitwize 5y ago
I touched grass frequently as a kid and still learned BASIC on my Commodore (and later TI-99/4A). I don't think kids, in general, should be learning to code. Most of them will hate it. But to some, coding is like piano, ballet, or painting: a form of art and of play. Those kids will need resources the most; and they need to enjoy their time spent programming while childhood lasts.

lelandfe 5y ago

I’m teaching my nieces how to code because it’s what I’m good at and I like spending time with them If I lived in the same part of the world as them, I’d definitely be playing with them outside too :)

dashwehacct 5y ago

I think your comment is valid. I have thought about this too, and I think the reasoning is as follows. Teaching kids to code empowers them to think differently about the world. Rather than navigating this technological this world as an end user, coding gives them a glance into the behind the scenes stuff and thus allows them to contribute to the evolution of this world. But your right. IMHO Nothing beats a hike in the woods, or better yet learning to build something from raw materials found in the woods (which in turn could have the same effect).

RcouF1uZ4gsC 5y ago

You talking about having coding replace outside time. However, if you look at where most kids spend their time, a lot of it would be in front of the TV or watching online videos or playing games. I think the people who want kids to code, want coding time as a replacement for watching mindless videos, not as a replacement for outdoor time. So your kid plays outside and then comes in and instead of watching another toy unboxing video, codes up a simple game they can play by themselves or with their friends.

dashwehacct 5y ago
This is pretty accurate. As a parent, offsetting your kids use or involvement with a particular activity tends to only work if you provide them with an equally interesting alternative. Simply telling your kid to limit their use of a device only goes so far.

MarcellusDrum 5y ago

I don't think these 2 things are mutually exclusive. I can teach my children to code for a couple of hours on Saturday and Sunday morning, while they get to play outside in the afternoon.

lupire 5y ago

Why would anyome want their children to learn to read or write or play an instrument?

josh_p 5y ago

No reason why kids can't do both. My four year old said she wanted to make a game with me because she loves games (and dad's a programmer). So I started a project in Scratch and told her a little about the blocks and we got something moving on the screen in an afternoon. It was magical for her to have an idea and see it come to life, just a little bit, on the screen. Yes, I'm doing 95% of the work and I know most of the programming concepts are lost on her, but even if she's picking up a tiny bit of logic it's worth doing with your kids if they're interested. It still feels like quality bonding time.

bitwize 5y ago

I touched grass frequently as a kid and still learned BASIC on my Commodore (and later TI-99/4A). I don't think kids, in general, should be learning to code. Most of them will hate it. But to some, coding is like piano, ballet, or painting: a form of art and of play. Those kids will need resources the most; and they need to enjoy their time spent programming while childhood lasts.