Top 5 Transferable Coding Skills Every Young Coder Should Know

Did you know that learning to code also teaches a range of transferable skills? While a lot of our members are aspiring video game developers, we know that isn’t the case for everyone! From becoming confident using a computer to building strong communication skills, joining a coding club is a great way to set your child up for future success. 

This week, we’re focusing on all of the different skills that you’ll pick up while learning to code and the incredible benefits that these skills bring…

Computer Literacy

During your child’s taster session, the very first thing their mentor will demonstrate is how to use the video chat. This means that new members immediately learn how to click-and-drag, use their microphone and camera, and type in the text chat. We also encourage our members to use a computer mouse instead of a trackpad which means that our sessions provide lots of opportunities to practice. 

In a world where tablets and iPads are often the first exposure most children have to computers, it’s essential to ensure that they also grow comfortable using laptops and computers. No matter what job your child ends up doing, the likelihood is that they’ll need to use a computer to do it! Plus everyday tasks such as booking doctors appointments, banking, and shopping are becoming more digital every single day. At this point, computer literacy is an essential life skill that can be picked up alongside learning to code.

Communication

One of the most valuable skills that members of The Code Zone are able to practice is the ability to communicate clearly. We provide opportunities for members to practice their written and verbal communication skills by asking questions, chatting to other members, and showing off the projects that they’ve been working on in the club.

Research by UNICEF and the National Literacy Trust tell us that developing strong communication skills at a young age often leads to success at school and in the workplace later down the line. Plus, being able to communicate complex coding problems also leads to a better understanding of the code itself!

Independent Problem Solving

Being able to solve problems is a really important skill that benefits children when they learn anything, not just when they’re learning to code! In our clubs, we encourage our members to look through their code and see if they can figure out what may be causing certain bugs while giving them helpful hints to point them in the right direction. This means that if they run into the same bug in the future, they’ll be able to fix it entirely independently.

Solving problems independently leads to increased confidence, independence, and aids the development of critical thinking skills. These skills aren’t just handy for becoming an expert programmer, they’re transferable to all aspects of life.

Reading Comprehension

One of the most useful skills that our members develop is confidence with reading and writing. We provide instructions every week that show our members how to make a massive change to their game, which means that our members naturally practice reading as they work on their games. Plus, members have the option to ask for help through our useful text chat which means that they’ll grow in confidence as they chat to their mentor about their projects.

According to research by the National Literacy Trust (2021) video games are an excellent way of providing an opportunity for young people to practice reading outside of the classroom environment! Plus, video games are often an excellent tool for engaging young people who are typically reluctant to spend time reading. 

If you’re looking for new ways to get your child engaging with reading in a low-pressure environment, the research tells us that coding and playing video games are excellent tools!

Teamwork

In our clubs, members work on their own projects independently but they still develop the necessary skills they need for working well in a team. Many of our coders dream of making their own games, and working together with their mentor is crucial for figuring out how to code ambitious features into their games! Some of our members also like to work together by giving each other tips and ideas for cool new features they can add into their games.

Being able to work effectively as part of a team is an incredibly useful skill both in school and in the workplace. Developing these skills at a young age is an incredible way of setting young people up for future success.

There you have it, learning to code allows young people to develop a wide range of skills beyond building video games! If you’re ready to try out our clubs for yourself and learn something new while gaming, you can book a FREE taster session today.

We’ll see you there!