If you're looking for a fun and educational way for your child(ren) to get into coding, look no further than Code Ninjas in Mount Kisco! My step-daughter and her best friend recently attended an open coding session, which is offered many times throughout the year, and had a fantastic time learning new coding skills.
As someone who grew up with very little explicit digital literacy instruction, I initially didn’t understand the value of coding outside of programmers or gamers. Now, as a website publisher and even more so with the advancement of “smart homes” it’s clear that coding is a second language that everyone should have some exposure to. There are many benefits of extracurricular coding for young children and pre-teens, including:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Coding requires logical thinking and problem-solving, as students have to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts. This type of thinking develops valuable problem-solving skills that can be applied to other areas of daily life, including academics and future careers.
- Creativity and innovation: Coding allows participants to express their creativity and imagination by creating their own digital projects. Whether it's designing a website, creating a game, or developing an app, coding empowers students to bring their ideas to life and explore their interests.
- Digital literacy and preparation for the future: In today's digital age, having a basic understanding of coding is becoming increasingly important. Extracurricular coding programs can help all children develop digital literacy and prepare for a future that will likely involve technology in many aspects of their lives. This can include preparing them for potential future careers in tech or simply giving them a valuable skillset for the future.
As an educator and advocate for progressive learning, one thing I appreciate about Code Ninjas is their emphasis on hands-on learning. My stepdaughter and her friend were able to work with real coding tools and see their creations come to life on the computer screen. She loved the feeling of accomplishment she got from solving coding challenges and creating her own projects. Students that are enrolled in regular programming progress through various levels at their own pace. As they become more proficient they move up in “belts” and their progress is displayed in the dojo.
The staff, or senseis, at Code Ninjas are also wonderful. They are patient, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about teaching kids how to code. In the short hour together they were able to explain complex concepts in a way that was easy for kids with minimal coding experience to understand, and were on hand to help as needed.
What really stood out to me about Code Ninjas was the sense of community they fostered. My stepdaughter and her friend could share an interest in coding, and they were able to work together on projects and help each other out. It was great to see her building social connections while also learning valuable STEM skills.
Overall, I would highly recommend Code Ninjas in Mount Kisco to any parents exploring extracurricular options for their children. It's a fantastic program that is both fun and educational, with a supportive staff and a great sense of community. The programs are drop-off which allow parents time to run errands or pursue their own hobbies, and break camps and summer camps are also available.
Coding For Kids in Mount Kisco (Mount Kisco) | Code Ninjas
41 S. Moger Ave Suite G4, Mount Kisco, NY 10549
