Digital literacy is becoming more and more important in our technology-driven world. You may have heard about the importance of learning to read and write code. But can kids who don’t excel in math and science thrive as coders?

Coding is so much more than math and science.

3 Coding Myths That Need to Be Busted

Myth 1: You have to be good at math and science to be good at reading and writing code.

Reality: The reality is that the actual amount of math skill needed in the tech world is overstated. An understanding of basic arithmetic is necessary (as in most jobs), but creative thinking and an eye for design are more valuable skills than the understanding of algebraic equations. In fact, teachers are finding that learning to read and write code actually builds and strengthens math skills.

Myth 2: Men and better at reading and writing code than women.

Reality: There is a misconception that men are typically better at math and science than women. In fact, in 2012 only 18% of women were enrolled in computer science programs in university. However, a recent study discovered that women are as good as, if not better than, men at coding.

Myth 3: Hard, technical skills are the ones that make a good coder great.

Reality: While an understanding of technical skills (debugging, design, etc.) are obviously important, soft skills (such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork) are even more important to coding success. Hard skills can be taught, while soft skills are much harder to teach.

Skills That Will Improve Math and Computer Programming

Does math make a good coder, or does being a good coder result in stronger math skills? The question is similar to a “chicken or egg” type of debate. Regardless of where you sit on that debate, these skills are just as important (if not more) for reading and writing code effectively.

• Attention to detail
• Abstract thinking
• Patience  
• Good memory
• Communication
• Willingness to learn
• A passion for problem-solving

There Is Something for Everyone in the Coding World

Reading and writing code often gets lumped together as one job. But like all professions, there are many different types of tasks within the coding world.

1. Design: The design aspect of coding is similar to that of an interior designer. It is a job for someone who is creative, artistic and loves to see ideas come together visually.  Higher-level math skills are not needed for the design work.
2. Plumbing: This type of work connects all the different parts of applications together. Typically there is not a lot of math required for this role.
3. Back End Development: Back end development uses the most high-level math skills in all of coding. It is the area that powers the calculation and computing engine of any major application. However, this position is only a small aspect of all the available coding positions.

So, learning to read and write code doesn’t require a good understanding of math. But learning to read and write code can help your child build a strong math foundation.