Research has found that engaging children in programming and in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)from an early age makes them better prepared for the digital future, as well as the new labor market.
Basic computer skills are becoming outdated, while skills of the future include working with specialized IT programs (79%), programming (75%), advanced computer skills (58%) and data analytics (52%).
Creativity and innovation are the most wanted skills in all professional fields, and foreign language skills, teamwork, communication skills and personal development are timeless classics when it comes to qualities of an ideal worker.
In addition to improving computer literacy, programming also helps develop cognitive and social skills. Research has shown that learning programming helps solve practical problems and tasks as “computer” thinking is based on breaking problems into smaller chunks, which are then more easy to solve. This lets you see problems from new perspectives and gives you multiple options to solve them.
Learning how to program develops systems thinking and interdisciplinary thinking as it requires you to master a lot of information and apply it to an interconnected system, while the principle of trial and error that brings to palpable and functional results builds confidence and contributes to active learning.
On the other hand, programming video games affects children’s emotional intelligence – it teaches empathy and social interaction because it requires developers to imagine themselves in the role of potential players and imagine how they would find solutions in this virtual environment. This also develops self-reflection among children because it requires a clear formulation and visualization of ideas around which the game is going to be built.
IT Courses for Children
Many centers and organizations in Zagreb offer IT courses for children, for example Code Club Croatia, Programerko, Klub mladih tehničara – Trešnjevka sjever …
One such institution is Futura, which offers four IT and programming courses: Game Maker (beginner and advanced), IT Basics and Python Programming Language. Duration of all programs, except for Game Maker – advanced, is 5 weeks (2 hours every Saturday, starting March 4). The cost is 300 kn.
See the courses on our calendar here and find out more about Futura here.
Source: Zagreb.info
