Does your child need to learn coding?

Many people say: “Find a five-year-old”, if you want help figuring out a new smartphone or sorting holiday snaps on your iPad. That advice may soon ring truer than ever with an increasing number of coding classes now available for Hong Kong children.

“Children can start at any age, but we get asked how kids as young as three can begin their coding journey,” says Sean Yeo, director of education partnerships for BSD Code and Design Academy.

“People have realised the benefits go beyond giving students a critical, real-world skill which they will need in future. Coding also develops other abilities, especially an enhanced aptitude for problem solving and an understanding of how to create something that is effective.”

Yeo explains that coding classes really started to take off in Hong Kong around 2013. At that point, many parents began to appreciate the extent to which technology was changing business – and every other sector. Putting two and two together, they saw it would be even more important for their children’s futures. And with the formal school curriculum giving scant attention to coding back then, independent course providers stepped in to meet demand.

“Nowadays, people can see that coding is something like the ‘Swiss army knife’ of education,” he says. “It can be integrated into any subject or topic and, if taught well, gives students a competitive advantage.”

For the youngest learners, BSD has designed a number of tools to help children understand the mindset of coding. In essence, youngsters under six are introduced to coding and programming through play. By taking part in interactive “unplugged” activities and team games, the children develop coordination, logic, communication and social skills.