Exactly. Starting with programming doesn't require abstract reasoning. You type in PRINT "Hello world", and there you go. Anyone can do that. All the attempts

Exactly. Starting with programming doesn't require abstract reasoning. You type in PRINT "Hello world", and there you go. Anyone can do that. All the attempts to go beyond that, to understand, to build, that fosters abstract reasoning. That is why teaching programming is so important. Not to teach people a skill they may apply later on, but to create insight and understanding.