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One of the most wanted profession today is computer engineer and there are more and more TOY manufacturers who took this to the extreme by developing games that teach kids to code from very earlier age.

This is a big trend in the toy industry. Parents want their kids to start early and push for coding as we all know lots of great jobs exist in that area…

I believe there is a big benefit to introduce coding through fun in case parents wish to encourage coding to their kids.

But the question to answer first is do we want to “push” our kids to learn something specific and why?

I tend to believe that early age children should learn lots of skills such as cooperative play, independent play, learn to cope with anxiety, learn to speak up their emotions, learn to make decisions, improve their fine and gross motor skills, learn values like kindness, respect, diversity, learn to be flexible thinkers….

In my personal opinion, coding, like any other profession like business or management… can come later on, once the essential tools are there, and once kids show initial interest on their own.

Should parents “push” a child in one or another direction because they feel this will help him in his future? This is a large question to ask and try to answer.

I guess like all “BIG” questions, there isn’t a yes or no answer but rather what fits you as parents in your own family within your parenting values.

I do not believe children should be pushed to a certain direction but rather, they should be exposed to as many as possible. I believe we, as parents, should expose our kids in a way or another and discuss, open the dialog, emphasize the experience, the advantages and benefits. Children will find their directions and their preferences on the way.

This reminds me of a talk I had with my older brother who believes we should “push” children and he pushed his kids to learn piano and swimming. His kids all stopped after 1-2 years piano as it did not come from them. One of them still swims today from his own wish. I am not saying it is wrong to push and I believe the kids got a good exposure, but I really think our role as parents is mainly to expose and talk. They will draw their own path…My daughter also tried at least 3 musical instruments that she wanted and asked for and still did not stick with any of them. So I am not talking about how long it lasts but who needs to push and what to push?

That also reminds me that when I was 17 years old and had to choose a master to study, I was not sure what to study. Most of 17^th years old do not know what they want to study!

I always loved psychology but was scarred not to make it as it was then lots of exams to pass, so I was afraid to fail. That’s of course something I understand today after more than 20 years of maturity. My dad fantasized of an economist daughter and I found myself in Business & Economics for 3 years! I finished my degree, but Economy was not for me! I have been in business, international business for 2 decades but always studied lots of psychology on the side, first through my parenting, and them children therapy.

I think if parents  expose their kids to a variety of professions and remain great listeners, they will help their kids finding their own directions which I find this AMAZING. Tough job for us, parents!

I would leave schools to introduce coding to kids as already over 1 million teachers have taken steps to bring computer science to their schools. (according to code.org)

Now, if parents do want to teach their kids to code, for whatever reason, I strongly believe it must be done through FUN and PLAY! 

I can definitely see the benefits in teaching kids to code, especially problem-solving as well as persistence!

Be careful! Coding does not mean anything played with a smartphone or a computer neither it is electronics! Yes all those toys are part of the same category STEM but not all really teach kids to code. BE AWARE…

Here are my list of 20 TOYS that teach kids to code, all sorted by Age: