All of this has to do with something very important that you can also learn: computational thinking.
And now that artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, it’s more important than ever! Here we explain why learning to think like a programmer can be a superpower for you. Let’s go to the 10 reasons!
1. Learning to think step by step (like a computer)
Computational thinking teaches you how to solve problems step by step, just like when you follow a recipe to make cookies.
Computers don’t understand “make a pretty drawing”, but they understand “choose the color red”, “draw a circle” and “move the pencil to the right”.
Example: For a robot to serve you juice, it needs instructions such as:
4. Pour the juice into the glass.
5. Take the glass to the table.
2. Become a creator and not just a user of technology
Do you like playing video games or watching videos on YouTube? That is great! But creating your own games, stories or cartoons is even more exciting.
Example: No site code.org You can create your own video games, interactive animations and simple applications using very easy to understand code blocks.
You can design a maze game, an animated story or even program a character to dance to your favorite music!
3. Solve difficult problems like a detective
Thinking like a programmer is like being a digital detective: you observe, test ideas and find solutions. This is called logical thinking.
Example: If your game doesn’t jump when you press a key, ask yourself: Is it connected well? Did I use the right instruction? Did I try another key? This way you discover the error, like a real detective.
4. Understand how you can protect yourself on the Internet
When you understand how technology works, you also learn how to protect your information. You can avoid viruses, mistakes and digital dangers.
Example: A child who knows how a web page works will know not to enter their password on suspicious sites or accept strange messages.
And, what’s more, you’ll know how to create your own website!
5. Work as a team and share ideas
Programming is not about being alone in front of the screen. Big projects are done as a team. Learning computers teaches you to listen, collaborate and improve ideas together.
Example: A group of friends can create a game in which one person designs the characters, another programs the movements and another adds the sounds.
6. Get creative with code
Do you think programming is just math? None of that! You can use code to make art, write stories, or create music.
Example: You can create an animated story where a frog speaks French and jumps through the clouds – all with programming!
7. Be prepared for the jobs of the future
Doctors, architects, farmers, musicians, designers… many already use artificial intelligence or programming in their work.
Example: There are farms that use drones to take care of crops and doctors who use AI to detect diseases even before humans do.
8. Understand how the modern world works
From traffic lights to washing machines, almost everything uses technology. Knowing how they work helps you not only to use them, but also to improve them or invent new ones.
Example: A smart traffic light can change color depending on the traffic. Do you know who the program is? Someone who learned computational thinking!
Modern washing machines detect how much laundry there is and adjust the water and time automatically. This “brain” that makes decisions is programmed by people using logic, algorithms and sensors.
9. Learning to learn (like AI!)
Artificial intelligence is always learning – and you can too! Thinking like a programmer trains your brain to solve problems, adapt and keep learning.
Example: If today you learn how to move a character in Scratch, tomorrow you can learn how to make them talk. Each thing you learn helps you with the next.
AI improves by learning from experience – and you can develop that capability too. Learning to program teaches you to look for solutions, test ideas and not give up when something doesn’t work.
Every attempt makes you stronger!
Example: If today you discover how to make a drawing change color through code, tomorrow you can combine it with music or animation.
Just like AI, you learn step by step, connecting the new with what you already know.