Today you have your child scheduled in many types of after-school activities including math programs (such as Kumon or Spirit of Math), music, dance, art, sports, or languages. However, there are drawbacks to some of these activities, which include:

• They may not translate into career skills.
• Many are offered in some capacity at schools so they aren’t really exposing your kids to something new.
• These activities are highly structured and don’t teach kids independent problem solving.
• Some kids just don’t like these programs.

Of course there are benefits to many extra-curricular activities. For example, there are noticeable benefits to learning piano, such as  improved academic performance, teaching kids about a new art form and even helping to shape a child’s interests early on.

A 2015 study claims piano lessons make kids smarter. But did you know that another type of after-school program has the same benefits, if not more?

This exciting, new program: Coding lessons.

Learning to play the piano, and reading and writing code, are both useful for:

• cognitive development like improved mathematical thinking
• strengthening hand-eye coordination
• providing a creative outlet, which helps to boost self-esteem

On top of this, both activities require practice, effort and patience for kids to succeed. As Hatch Founder and CEO Peter Kuperman puts it:

“It’s not just like riding a bicycle where you do it once and you’ve learned. Concert pianists practice for years, just the same as expert software engineers.”

Just like learning the piano, learning to read and write code provides children with lifelong skills.

Coding Lessons for Kids: Hatch@Home

Hatch@Home, Hatch’s project-based coding software, is like having a private tutor come to your house to teach your child to play piano, only you don’t have to worry about a stranger coming into your home or fighting through rush hour traffic to make a practice. Instead, after you sign up, you and your child get access to our Hatch Coding Software from the comfort of your own home. Hatch coaches will be able to mark your child’s projects, and give personal feedback, remotely.

As with piano lessons, there’s an established curriculum your child follows. They start as beginners, and eventually achieve independence.

“You get a sense of independence when coding at Hatch. You are figuring things out yourself. Coaches supervise and help you when you are stuck, but the learning process is about you solving things yourself.” - Nina Khera, Hatch student & intern

To Expand Future Opportunities Prioritize After-School Programs in a Different Way

While making choices about programs for your children, consider the following:

• After school programs provide more benefits when they include some real career skill building.
• Add some programs that aren’t offered in schools to give your kid a leg up when applying to high school or postsecondary schooling.
• Incorporate some programs that help your kids learn independent problem-solving skills.
• Include different programs that your kids might love.

Unless your child’s heart is set on becoming a concert pianist, learning to read and write code offers up more job opportunities for your child’s future. Coding also comes with many transferable skills for school, work and play, like problem-solving, logic, and communication skills.

Hatch@Home is easy to sign up for. Your child can progress at his or her own pace, on their own schedule and you’ll get constructive feedback from qualified Hatch coaches.

The Best Way for Kids to Develop Future Skills: A 14-Day Trial for Coding Lessons

References:
https://etoninstitute.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-learning-a-foreign-language

https://www.lindebladpiano.com/ca/blog/benefits-of-playing-piano

https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/piano-lessons-make-children-smarter/