Educational opportunities for kids coding have never been so in demand. Since the pandemic, screen time has streamlined the way we live many aspects of our lives. Not only this, but since the world adapted to a more online approach to daily life, there has been a realisation that proficiency in coding is now a vital skill in the post-pandemic 21st century. Here, CEO of Code Ninjas, Justin Nihiser, discusses why now is a perfect time to invest in the kids coding sector, after the kids coding franchise finalised a large investment from US investment company, Eagle Merchant Partners.
The demand for trusted, well-established and proven educational services in coding for children has seen a huge increase since the pandemic. Screen time has not only become an inevitability but is in fact imperative for children to receive a fulfilling, diverse and contemporary education. But providing kids with these enriching, fun coding opportunities isn’t just beneficial for their futures with regard to attributes setting them apart in the job market. Their academic performance will also be more successful than if they weren’t exposed to a proper coding education.
By learning to code, kids are encouraged to think about mathematical problems through more abstract concepts. The ability to think logically and analytically allows kids to visualise mathematics in real-life situations. As well as maths, kids’ abilities to tell stories and utilise language skills will become far more sophisticated. As children develop a more concise, logical way of thinking, they develop a more structured approach to the English language. Coding allows kids the chance to analyse situations and draw logical conclusions, but it also gives them the chance to experiment – creating a more meaningful and creative approach to their written skills.
Of course, thinking about the future isn’t discouraged! It’s becoming increasingly hard to ignore the fact that coding-related careers are saturating the modern job market. It is our responsibility as business owners and as an educational franchise to prepare kids for what will define the opportunities presented to them later in life. In just three years, the number of programming or coding related jobs has increased by 74,000 in the private sector, from 536,000 to 610,000. These businesses, meanwhile, are generating an impressive £120 billion turnover1.
But it’s not just about computers and money. Coding is a universal language, helping to open new possibilities to children that, 50 years ago, would have been unimaginable. It’s important for children to understand the significant reach coding has, and why and how someone has written coding instructions to help us with our everyday lives. In doing so, children will be well equipped to visualise the possibilities for how the tools at their disposal can solve problems of the future.
This isn’t a far-fetched observation, as already coding is helping to change the world. It’s crucial that more educational organisations integrate coding into their teaching. Through app development, robotics and STEM education, coding is giving us a better grasp on the tools that we can utilise to shape a better future – whether it cleans the environment, helps discover the cure to a disease, or simply brings the world closer together.
Love it or hate it, our reliance on sophisticated information technology in the 21st century is here to stay. And the demand for being proficient in computing is showing no signs of stopping. Calls to make coding a key feature of the curriculum is gaining significant traction as today, jobs in STEM, programming, design and countless other industries all require a computing ability that can only be acquired from being exposed to programming from a young age. The Code Ninjas franchises around the world have never been more in demand. Through sharing the desire to give kids the best possible opportunities later in life, our franchisees are celebrating finally being able to welcome kids back into the dojo.
Justin Nihiser is the CEO of kids coding specialist Code Ninjas. At locations across the UK, Canada and the US, kids learn to code in a fun, safe and inspiring learning environment. With a game-based curriculum, kids love to learn and parents clearly see results. For more information, visit www.codeninjasfranchise.co.uk
1Owen Hughes, 2021, Coding is now the fastest-growing profession. But it’s not all good news
