6 Reasons To Teach Python Language to Children

Programming is the new hot skill to teach children. If you see great potential in your child or simply want them to learn a valuable skill, it’s advisable you teach them Python programming first. Below are the reasons why.

1 - It’s beginner-friendly

Python’s conciseness, readability, and English syntax make it one of the easiest programming languages to learn. It’s the perfect first language for many young aspiring programmers as it’s easy to approach and unlikely to overwhelm. Python is an interpreted programming language, which means it allows coders to run each line of code after writing. This lets coders review their work and make corrections as they go.

As Maria Montessori said, children learn so easily because they just absorb knowledge like sponges. You can argue children’s time is better spent learning something harder so they won’t have to struggle with it when they’re older. However, you can also argue that if a child studies a beginner-friendly language like Python, they’d be masters of the language before they even reach adulthood. In short words, they’d be ahead of the curve.

2 - It’s widely used

The TIOBE Programming Community Index for January 2023 ranks Python as the top most popular programming language in the world. Python has preserved its number-one ranking ever since it first topped the index the year before. With a 16.36% share, it’s closely followed by C at 16.26%.

What does this mean for young coders and programmers in general? It means Python is an excellent programming language to learn. It has a large community and it’s used in a wide variety of industries worldwide.

Beginners won’t have trouble finding support from other users of the language and they won’t have a shortage of learning resources. From learning basic syntax and the Python list method to iterating dictionaries, there is an abundance of material online. Most importantly, Python is a popular programming language in the job market.

3 - It’s in-demand

Python isn’t just popular, it’s also in demand. DevJobsScanner’s 14-month analysis of the developer job market from 2021 to 2022 has found that Python is the second most in-demand programming language, with JavaScript in the first place. Out of 12 million job offers, 515,000 of them explicitly required Python as a programming language.

Children who study Python programming are bound to be well-sought after by employers in the future. They’ve had a lot of time to master the language, making them valuable talents in the developer job market. They are almost guaranteed to find employment and won’t run out of Python career opportunities any time soon.

4 - It’s fun

Another factor that makes Python perfect for young coders is how fun it is to learn and use. Given that Python is easy to learn, it’s almost a stress-free language to study. Easy doesn’t always mean fun, but in the case of Python, it rings true. It has a simplistic syntax and it allows coders to review and edit their code on the fly. This takes out a lot of hassle in trial and error, making practice significantly more fun.

Moreover, learning Python is easy to gamify. There are plenty of gamified learning resources that children can access for free. For instance, the website Tynker has a wide variety of gamified courses and activities designed to motivate children who want to learn Python. These courses and activities incorporate elements like scorekeeping, competition, and rewards to make learning more engaging and exciting.

5 - It develops other valuable skills

Kids who are studying Python can perform better in school because it develops other valuable skills. Learning any programming language hones a child’s analytical, logical, and critical thinking skills — skills that will certainly help them excel in their academics.

The skills that are sharpened by studying Python can help students better understand Mathematics and English or learn other languages. Moreover, Python learning can sharpen problem-solving skills, which is valuable for teens preparing to face life on their own.

Python doesn’t only hone the logical side of children, but also their creative side. Python is easy to learn and fun, and its versatility allows coders to create all sorts of things they want. Children can turn original ideas into projects like websites, applications, etc. Being able to turn their ideas into something tangible while they’re young will provide them with a strong creative foundation going forward.

6 - Opens up plenty of career opportunities

Python is a flexible and versatile programming language. From game development and data science to data visualization, Python programming has a wide range of applications in different industries. If you teach your kids Python and they master the language upon adulthood, they won’t only have many job opportunities, but they would also have plenty of career paths to choose from.

Final word

There are other great programming languages to learn, but Python is arguably the best option for young ones. It’s not only beginner-friendly, but it’s also a fun programming language that is fulfilling to work at. It strengthens valuable skills like critical and problem-solving and sets up children for a stable career when they grow up. Coding is a future-proof skill and children should start learning with Python.