How Nigerian Parents Can Help Their Children Start Coding
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of parents about the opportunities that are abundant in the field of software development, particularly in light of the recent demand for such skills in the local area, and how they could assist their children in gaining more experience in this field.
The event took place at an establishment. Their lack of interest in the topic, along with their answer, really got me to thinking about it.
I was doing some research and trying to wrap my head around the reasons why some Nigerian parents do not appear to be interested in supporting and investing in their child's coding endeavor when I came across the biography of Mark Zuckerberg, the world-famous founder of the social networking website Facebook.
A good many of us are familiar with him. On the other hand, not too many of us are aware of the role that his parents played in guiding him down the path that led him to become a genius who is now revered all over the world.
According to Zuckerberg's biography on Wikipedia, he started using computers and programming software while he was in middle school.
"During the 1990s, his father instructed him in Atari BASIC Programming, and subsequently, he hired software engineer David Newman to train him privately."
"In one program, since his father's dentistry business was conducted from their home, he designed a software application that he named "ZuckNet," which enabled all of the computers between the house and dental office to interact with each other. His father's dental practice was operated from their home. It is referred to as a "primitive" form of AOL's Instant Messenger, which was released the year after.
A closer look at his life shows an important part that his parents played in the process, despite the fact that it is sometimes disregarded.
Can we say for certain that Mark would have had the same level of support from his family had he been Nigerian? I'll wait here until you answer that question.
Teaching children to code means instructing them in a programming language that may be used for a variety of computer-based activities, including games, apps, and gadgets.
The question is, what exactly is coding? The technique of instructing a computer to do difficult tasks is referred to as coding. Once you have mastered coding, you will be able to construct virtual worlds inside of the computer, where the only thing that will restrict what you can do is your own creativity.
Learning to code involves developing skills such as systematized reasoning, creative thinking, and the ability to interact with others. These talents are transferable to every field of endeavor, as well as to expressing yourself in your personal life and other arenas outside of work. (TED Blog). "Code" is defined as "the language humans use to train computers" by the organization "Year of Code."
You might refer to this activity as "coding" or computer programming. Java, Python, and C++ are some of the programming languages that are available.
If you already know one programming language, learning the others will be lot simpler for you. Children who start learning how to code at an early age will have a significant competitive edge in the job market in the years to come. This is one of the many reasons why more and more individuals and organizations are becoming interested in coding.
Learning to code entails a lot more than just picking up a set of technical abilities here and there. It involves being familiar with a mode of thought that fosters analytical thinking, the ability to solve problems, and creative thinking.
In the 1980s, researchers in the field of cognitive science started to uncover evidence suggesting that students who learned to program computers "performed better in certain parts of problem-solving" and that the "benefits of learning a language computing reach beyond the substance of that language." In 1984, these findings were already common knowledge.
The majority of stakeholders in the education industry are in agreement that it is vital for Nigerian students to gain new information in order for them to be on par with their counterparts all around the world. Some examples of this new knowledge include coding and programming, to mention just a few.
On the other hand, the reaction of our educational institutions to this shift in cultural norms has been more gradual.
And as a direct consequence of this, coding or computer programming has not yet reached the level of prominence that it deserves in our educational institutions.
The need to ensuring that every kid has the same chance to learn to code is growing as our national educational programs and regulations improve. This is a need that cannot be ignored. This need must be met on several levels, including the national, the state, the local, and even the family level.
At the state level, it is important for both students and instructors to have access to tools that may assist to make the process go more smoothly.
Students should be given the opportunity to begin taking computer education at a young age, so that they may begin gaining familiarity with a variety of applications and languages as early as possible. It is important to take into consideration the likelihood that these courses are not electives but rather requirements.
It is important for all parties involved to place a high priority on acquiring the skills that may help one get and maintain meaningful work. It's all about getting pupils ready for the real world.
Not only the brightest and most brilliant students should take part in extracurricular and summer computer programs, but all students at all levels should participate. Some youngsters may need more assistance in the beginning, particularly if they have low self-esteem about their capabilities.
Every parent has to be aware that they have a significant part to play in encouraging their child's interest in coding and other forms of computers, and they need to be aware of this responsibility.
The following is a list of some of the things that contemporary parents are able to do:
EARLY EXPOSURE
Beginning at a young age, your child should be introduced to computer programming. Children as young as four years old are able to start learning the fundamental concepts of programming in an environment that is both fun and interactive. Participate in games or use software with it that encourages learning in this area.
ACTIVELY BE A PART OF THE PROCESS
Look into participating in community programs, attending summer camps devoted to STEM fields, or taking computer classes at local schools. If you conduct a search on YouTube for tutorials on how to instruct children in computer programming, approximately 90 000 videos will be returned.
You should try to get your kid to look at them, or even better, you should watch them with them. The act of acquiring new knowledge alongside one's offspring can serve as a form of parental bonding, and it can also help to strengthen one's connection to one's offspring.
BE A CHEERLEADER
As a parent, one of the simplest and at the same time most meaningful things you can do is to become involved in the educational process of your child. It is not necessary to have all the answers or to be completely familiar with the material before beginning. It means actively participating in the educational endeavors of your child.
The process of learning to recognize a problem and finding a solution to it can be one that is fraught with difficulty. Motivate them even when they make mistakes in the short term, and remind them how far they have come and how the learning process first started.
Help your child identify the lessons that he gained from the "mistakes" he made that contributed to him achieving a successful outcome. Recognize each and every one of his accomplishments. You are assisting them in the development of skills necessary for critical thinking, as well as laying a solid foundation for further learning if you do this.
COLLABORATE WITH THEIR INSTRUCTORS
It is essential that you are aware of the various programs that are offered at the school your child attends as well as the components that should be incorporated into their educational experience. Once you have an idea of what the programs entail, you should make sure that you have a conversation with the teacher or administrators at your child's school about the possibility of adding computer classes or, at the very least, providing resources and training opportunities if the school does not already have them.
In the event that they are available, you should encourage your child to sign up for them and make the most of the opportunity. Meetings of the PTA, PTO, and the school are opportunities for you to voice your opinion.
Nevertheless, and this is something that everyone can agree on, learning to code might not be appropriate for every child. However, after giving it a shot, every child ought to be given the opportunity to make that choice for themselves.
As parents, it is our duty to show interest in our children's activities, to support and encourage them in those activities, and to make financial investments in those activities. Every child has the right to have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the many opportunities that are available to them in the field of information technology (IT), which offers a whole new world of possibilities.
It is an opportunity that depends on one's knowledge and skills. It is possible for it to become an option for all children if there is cooperation between the government, the parents, and the teachers.