In the present age, children are born into a wealth of information, and have access to technologies that were thought impossible just a decade ago. Simply being literate is no longer enough. These days, it’s all about being digitally literate — learning how to create solutions that are appropriate for the digital age. While majority may know how to use new technologies, only a minority are able to use this technology to develop more effective and efficient solutions.
As Ventimiglia and Pullman said,
“Learning to write, learning to think, and—these days—learning to form computational structures and to think digitally are requisites not only for employment but also for intellectual independence.
Behind this “new literacy”, you will find Computational Thinking. It is the most crucial skill for your 21st Century Child according to various education experts. It is the mindset used to solve problems, design systems, and understand human behaviour by drawing on concepts that are fundamental to computer science.
Think of it as if your child is putting on a new lens as they develop Computational Thinking. Not only can they see solutions, they can also employ the technology to solve it. Computational Thinking is the logic behind this human-machine interaction, and is an indispensable skill for your little one who is a “Digital Native”.
Studies have proven that ages 4 to 7 years is the optimal age to pick up Computational Thinking skills. At this age, children identify themselves as separate from the objects around them, and are not yet exposed to societal norms that could hinder their interest in this area. Thus, they are able to grasp the concepts of Computational Thinking.