When thinking about hobbies and activities that can help parents bond with their children, it might be fair to assume that coding isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind for the majority!
Whether you like it or not, the old school pastimes like playing catch and doing jigsaw puzzles have some seriously modern competitors. But, the thing that we adults need to remember is that the world of computers and digital tech isn’t going anywhere. Not only that, it is becoming more and more prominent and essential as your kids grow into their lives and adulthood.
At this relatively early stage of the AI revolution, it provides the perfect opportunity for mums and their kids to start learning about the workings of the digital world together.
From programming for 6 to 12 year olds to ‘back to basics’ lessons for even the most clueless adults, there is an entry point into this world for everybody.
With this in mind, let’s take a brief look at some of the benefits that mums coding with kids can bring to both parent and child in equal measure.
Benefits of coding for kids and mums
- Coding requires people to break down potentially complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps, and this can really help to develop overall problem solving skills.
- The problem-solving aspect of coding can lead to increased creativity, and this creativity can be used in pretty much all areas of life.
- Coding is a sneaky form of teaching more advanced mathematics like algebra, calculus and geometry.
- Digital literacy is an essential part of life in the 21st century and learning coding at the easiest possible stage will only be of huge benefit to any parent and child going forwards.
Now that we have covered the benefits of coding with your kids, let’s take a more detailed look at some of the ways in which this activity can actually be put into practice for both mum and child.
Ways to code with your kids
Interactive Workshops
There are numerous online, interactive workshops that parents and children can sign up to virtually attend together. These are always themed in a child and family-friendly way. They cover aspects of coding from basic commands to loops to even more advanced concepts like web design and game development.
Projects And Challenges
Once you have the basics in place, you will find that there are many different projects and challenges that you can take on together as parent and child. A simple, quick search online will reveal plenty of free child coding projects that you can undertake. Completing them as a team can foster a real sense of accomplishment.
Networking And Community
Coding is more fun when you have a community of likeminded individuals to share your progress and projects with. As the parent in the situation, you can take it upon yourself to seek out coding groups on platforms like Facebook. There are plenty to find and it opens up the possibilities of further collaboration online.
Progress Tracking
A really important aspect of the process is to make sure that you do something to track your progress, otherwise, you won’t realise how far you have come as a team! Work on implementing a tracking system. Then, don’t forget to celebrate when you complete certain coding milestones. Consider prizes like badges and certificates to keep your little one invested!
Online Etiquette and Safety
Amidst all of this fun online coding with your child, it is really important to emphasise digital responsibility and safety. Make sure that you educate both yourself and your child about the ethical considerations that need to be taken into account in the digital world. The knowledge of detailed coding brings with it a great deal of responsibility, so it is your job as the parent to make sure that your young person is learning valuable skills, but also learning valuable ethics at the same time.
Conclusion: Coding for kids and mums
In a world increasingly dominated by digital technology, it's vital for parents and children to adapt to the changing landscape together. Coding, often overlooked as an activity for moms and kids, emerges as a unique bonding opportunity. As we navigate the early stages of the AI revolution, embracing coding can be a gateway to understanding the digital realm side by side.
Coding instills problem-solving skills, fostering creativity and indirectly teaching advanced math concepts. It equips kids with essential digital literacy for the 21st century. But beyond its educational value, the shared journey of coding has profound benefits for parent and child alike.
Interactive workshops, coding projects, and challenges offer opportunities for collaborative learning and a sense of achievement. Engaging with coding communities can enhance the experience, while tracking progress ensures a tangible sense of growth.
Yet, amid the excitement, it's crucial to emphasise online etiquette and safety. Parents play a pivotal role in nurturing responsible digital behaviour.
In this age of rapid technological change, coding together becomes a bridge connecting generations and forging stronger parent-child bonds while equipping the next generation with essential skills for the future.
Further reading: 20+ Online educational resources.
