Coding in Early Years – Why it pays to start teaching it early

As society pushes back on tech in schools, here’s why teaching coding in Early Years can give children the best educational foundation in technology…

Anyone who’s watched a child construct elaborate block towers or make up their own game rules knows that children are natural architects of ideas. They thrive on creating order, solving problems and exploring new possibilities.

Yet, we don’t often consider coding – essentially a combination of pattern-building, problem-solving and creativity – as something to introduce in early childhood or primary education.

In reality, it’s actually easy to start with the basics, even with younger children in Reception. So, why wait?

Software development skills

As schools around the world tackle the challenges of mobile technology, and British politicians debate even banning phones in classrooms, now is the perfect time to think about how and when we start teaching children in Early Years to engage with technology and coding in a more meaningful, creative way – without always needing a screen.

Though the future may appear increasingly uncertain, one thing is clear: technology will remain at the leading edge of societal change.

The foundation of all modern technology – coding – will remain essential as people find innovative solutions to global challenges.

As a result, today’s children will interact with technology more than any generation before them. We’re living in the age of AI, and software development skills will only grow in importance.

It’s our responsibility as teachers, along with parents and society as a whole, to equip them for that reality.

Daunting

You may think that Early Years children are too young to learn a skill that can seem daunting even for some adults. Many people harbour this misconception.

But the truth is, coding is like learning a language: the earlier they start, the better. We will need our children to help solve some of the biggest challenges of their generation and ours. Therefore it’s crucial to equip them with the skills to do so.

You may find the idea of introducing young children to programming daunting yourself, especially if you’re already pressed for time. But it’s key to realise that coding is really just the process of creating a set of instructions for a computer to follow. Nothing more.

Concerns about putting young children in front of screens are, of course, valid. But that’s where it’s important to recognise that an education in coding doesn’t necessarily require screen time. In fact, it’s often best taught unplugged.

Screen-free tech

One of the best ways to teach early-years coding is by using resources that incorporate those basic instruction-giving skills.

Educational robots, which resemble familiar toys, for example, can teach children how to give commands, plan ahead, and solve problems.

There are also resources specifically designed to teach the basics of coding. One example is Bee-Bot, a bumble-bee shaped robot that children can programme by pressing buttons to move it forward, backward, left, and right, with up to 200 commands.

Aimed at children aged three to eight, Bee-Bot has been around for 20 years. 95% of schools in the UK have them, although many teachers may not realise that they have access to them.

Playful mindset

To get the most out of educational robots and similar resources, you should try to approach it with a playful mindset. Instead of following a strict class plan, feel free to deviate from it and do what feels natural.

Allow children to tinker with the robots and explore how they work on their own. At this stage it’s as much about having fun as it is about learning.

You can also use it to teach your students important social skills, like teamwork. It’s a common misconception that software developers work alone.

In fact, they often work in teams. Using educational robots like the Bee-Bot can be a good opportunity for children to test this dynamic.

Value of coding in Early Years

Recognising the value of coding as an important skill for your students to learn is the first step. Once you’ve done that, you can begin to introduce them to it in a fun and engaging environment, with help from resources like educational robots if needed.

At the Early Years stage, that’s all that’s needed.

So while technology for children is often viewed negatively, sparking debates at home, in the classroom and even in Westminster, it’s crucial to acknowledge how it can ignite creativity and equip them with essential skills for future careers.

Jo Hardy is director of innovation at TTS Group, part of RM Resources. She is also a school governor and trustee member of Ignite Futures (an education focused charity).