Coding has undoubtedly established itself as an important skill that will help children a great deal.1 It is a skill that is not only in demand but also useful for assisting children in other areas as well. While many people may know how coding is connected with topics such as logical reasoning, math skills, and computational thinking, are you aware that coding is not limited to these subjects alone?
In fact, there are various other domains in which children can thrive if they possess the dexterity for coding. As it requires several skills to succeed, children acquire these skills while learning to code. One such skill that coding can help children become proficient at is their writing skills.
Coding and Writing2
Children must write in order to code. Even though they may not be writing in English, the fundamental skills for writing well are the same.
Coding and writing are alike in many ways, as both require mastery of the basics and the ability to foresee the larger picture.
Coding and writing bring out the creativity in children and help them create something unique. While many may not think of coding as a creative pursuit, it certainly can be used by children to create stories, apps, games, and robots. The possibilities are endless.
How Children can Enhance Their Writing Skills by Learning to Code?
- Coding Teaches the Importance of Word Choice2
A key part of effective writing skills is the correct use of language and concepts while paying attention to details. In the same way, it is critical to pay close attention to each and every line of code typed when coding. The reason for this is if you use the incorrect code, the application will crash.
Therefore, children must comprehend the importance of paying attention to the smallest details when coding, which helps children understand the importance of paying attention to details and making the right word choices.
- Coding Teaches Discipline In Following Rules2
Both coding and writing have a set of rules to be followed. Children cannot ignore these rules while coding, as they will end up with a broken code. Certain functions must be performed in a specific order, and children must understand how to use each piece of code correctly.
Similarly, there are rules in writing that need to be followed, for example, the rules of grammar. When children do not follow the rules of language when they write, their work becomes incomprehensible and difficult to read. Knowing how to code is similar to understanding sentence structures and knowing parts of speech and grammar. Therefore, when children practice their coding skills, they get the ideaof how to put different rules and parts together, which will enhance their writing.
- Coding Teaches Precision2
Children need to be precise with their choice of words and learn how to say something within a few words, which is necessary for making their writings more concise and readable.
Children learn the art of writing concisely through coding. Complex code can make a program difficult for others to understand, and unnecessary code can confuse the computer, leading to unwanted and unexpected results.
When writing code, children need to know how to do a lot with just a few lines of code. When they practice coding, the ability to eliminate excess becomes a habit, which will, in turn, make them better communicators and enhance their writing skills.
- Coding Teaches the Importance of Being Explicit1
Children need to learn to define every word by using a set of instructions when they code. Without them, the system won’t understand the command.
It is similar to writing, as a reader would not understand the purpose of something you are trying to express without explaining the motive. It is crucial for writers to provide details and mention purposes in their writing, which children can learn through practicing coding.
- Coding Helps Beat Blank Page Syndrome1
What is Blank Page Syndrome? It involves everything from writer’s blocks to difficulty in starting writing, not knowing where to begin, lack of ideas or inspiration, and so on.
When children learn to code, they develop the habit of writing regularly. It helps them overcome the “blank page syndrome,” as they would not find it difficult when it comes to writing. Children who know how to code don’t have to think too hard about where to begin, as they are on the constant lookout for new and creative ways of doing things.
- Coding Builds Patience and Resilience3
When you first start writing, you begin with the first draft, which must be corrected and edited several times before it is perfected. Similarly, when children first begin coding, there may be a lot of broken codes to fix. In order to achieve their goal, they have to engage in the creative flow and fix things multiple times.
Coding teaches children patience and also teaches them to work hard, learn from their mistakes, and fix the broken codes several times to achieve their goals. The understanding that working on something multiple times is a process to achieve your end objective will help children develop the patience, discipline, and resilience required to see a project or written piece through to its end.
If your child is struggling with creative writing, coding could be a fun way to help them find their creative flow, and children who are good writers can also polish their skills through coding. To learn more about the interesting additional benefits of coding, visit BYJU’S FutureSchool Blog.
References:
- How coding enhances the writing skills of a student | Coding School. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.neorobos.co.in/how-coding-enhances-writing-skills-student
- Can Coding Improve Your Child’s Writing Skills? – The Tech Edvocate. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/can-coding-improve-your-childs-writing-skills/
- How Coding Helps Children Build Resilience. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.byjusfutureschool.com/blog/how-coding-helps-children-build-resilience/
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