Like us, kids face hurdles every day – from sports to chores to schoolwork – but unlike us, they’re still building their problem-solving toolkit. That’s why it’s essential to give them every chance to develop their cognitive skills.
Developing critical thinking and problem-solving expertise is one of the most valuable tools we can offer children. Studies show that teaching kids problem-solving techniques can boost mental well-being and help prevent long-term psychological issues. But how can we effectively teach these abstract skills to young minds? Enter the world of coding.
Coding is the creative process of devising commands for computers to carry out specific tasks. This field inherently promotes problem-solving and cultivates rational thought. Furthermore, it equips children with the ability to comprehend sophisticated technology and maneuver through our digital landscape.
Problem-solving in coding
To complete a coding task or project, children must engage in the problem-solving process. This journey involves a specific sequence of steps, which include:
1) Defining a problem and setting a goal
Programmers’ codes don’t always work on the first attempt. Just like life, failure is a normal part of coding. Young coders often tackle challenges like young children do: by focusing on immediate, short-term solutions rather than considering the bigger picture.
Coding teaches kids the importance of identifying goals before diving in. Common coding goals are:
- bringing an idea to life
- fixing broken code
- enhancing an existing coding framework
These objectives align with many aspects of a child’s daily life, from gaming to classroom activities to household chores. Through coding, children learn to pinpoint their goals and how they relate to the problems they’re trying to solve.
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2. Brainstorming
With a problem in mind, brainstorming is the next natural step. This stage encourages problem-solving in children by tapping into their creativity and free expression to generate as many solutions as possible. Some ideas may be sillier than others, but that’s all part of the process. And as any coder will tell you, it doesn’t matter how ridiculous a solution seems – as long as it works.
3. Decomposing
Decomposition involves breaking a complex process into simpler, more manageable steps. This crucial stage helps identify errors in the coding framework.
For instance, let’s say a child wants to obtain a cookie and decides to buy one from a store. Guiding the child through the decomposition of all the steps involved in this process can help them recognize gaps in their reasoning.
Decomposition empowers children to tackle more complex coding projects, like designing computer games, ultimately providing them with a great sense of accomplishment. Regardless of its application, breaking complex tasks into smaller parts is an invaluable skill.
4. Picking a solution (decision-making)
With a defined problem, a set of potential solutions, and a plan to bridge the gap, it’s time for the young coder to make a decision. This can involve weighing individual pros and cons or participating in a group discussion. Either way, coding offers children the opportunity to
work through the decision-making process on a small scale, preparing them for making more significant decisions throughout their lives.
5. Testing the solution
This step is the logical counterpart to decomposition: once the solution is built, each step in the process needs to be tested. A particular testing method used in coding is called iterative testing, which involves testing smaller chunks of code individually to ensure they work. Adopting this approach means that coders don’t have to wait until the entire project is completed to detect errors and make adjustments, ultimately making the entire process more efficient in terms of both time and effort.
Children can apply this kind of thinking beyond coding. They can consider their immediate actions and evaluate whether they’re helping them achieve the desired goal. For example, when tidying up the classroom, if the goal is to maintain an organized cloakroom, each child contributes to that goal by putting their own belongings away; if someone leaves their coat on the floor, that immediate action can be reflected upon in light of the larger goal.
6. Debugging
Debugging usually occurs after a test failure or when a new issue is uncovered in coding. The key is to identify the exact problem, not just knowing that a problem exists. Debugging in coding typically involves using a well-designed test to locate the bug or error.
For successful debugging, children must have a solid understanding of the different parts of the coding framework. In real-world applications, evaluating is equivalent to debugging. When children learn to evaluate solutions and outcomes, it helps them “debug” their own behavior to determine whether they’ve made the best possible decision.
Logical thinking in coding
Logic is the foundation of all computer programming. Coders must write their programs with the correct syntax (structure) and semantics (meaning) for them to function.
As children start to code, they’ll learn that they need to execute steps in a particular order for their program to solve the target problem. This includes writing formulas, creating conditional statements (if A, then B, C), and defining variables. All these tasks require logical reasoning.
The logic of coding aligns with that of mathematics (which is just one kind of logical system). Thus, children who practice coding have a higher chance of improving their math skills.
Beyond learning the logic of writing code, children who code can also develop a different kind of logical reasoning considered a soft skill. This type of logical thinking influences personality traits, fosters work habits, and cultivates life skills for kids.
Children who think logically can:
- analyze information
- make decisions
- plan carefully
- pay attention to details
- solve problems
- justify their decisions
Final thoughts
Logical thinking and problem-solving skills aren’t just crucial for children to excel in school. These abilities are also key to managing their everyday lives. Research has shown that logical reasoning and problem-solving skills can be especially beneficial for children with disabilities.
If children struggle with problem-solving, they may avoid facing problems altogether. They might also be unable to make better choices or reflect on their actions. Poor problem-solving skills lead to a lack of self-confidence to tackle challenges and build healthy relationships.
Coding possesses the potential to metamorphose children into rational thinkers and outstanding problem solvers. Hence, it’s essential for parents and educators to take the initiative and provide ample opportunities for youngsters to develop and refine their coding prowess. A plethora of captivating tools, games, and resources are available to facilitate children’s coding education in a fun and engaging manner. Look at Code.org, Tynker, and especially the CodeMonkey gifts section.
.The Code Monkey section on gifts presents an added bonus for those interested.
In addition to formal coding lessons, parents can also help children develop problem-solving skills by encouraging them to use these skills in everyday life. This can involve discussing potential solutions to problems they encounter, working together on a project, or simply asking questions to stimulate their critical thinking.
By investing time and effort into teaching children coding and problem-solving skills, we can better prepare them for the challenges they’ll face in their future lives, both in their careers and personal lives. In an increasingly digital world, these skills are essential for success, and nurturing them from a young age will undoubtedly set children on a path to a brighter future.