Learn About The Core Components Of Computational Thinking For Children
As technologies have drastically developed and modifying, it emerges as a fundamental school and college career-ready skill. Learning how to code has grown to become commonplace in every school. Coding, however, is a learning application. Before kids can effectively perform these tasks, they should comprehend the concepts behind the application of a specific technology.
Computational thinking is an imperative skill for understanding futuristic technologies. It is believed that instead of a particular body of knowledge about a language and or device, computational thinking is quite often related to coding and computers, however, you (being parents) need to understand that this can also be taught without using a device.
For this very reason, computational thinking is an integral part of any classroom, and it is quickly becoming an essential introductory skill for today’s kids. By teaching explicitly and allowing a prospect for the development of computation skills, educators around the globe can ensure that students are learning how to think in a way that will enable them to understand and access the digital world. Introducing your child to ‘computational thinking’ will help them for future success.
What are the core components of computational thinking?
Four outlined cornerstones of computational thinking include — decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms. Decomposition involves students to break down complicated problems into simpler and smaller ones. Pattern recognition helps students make connections between similar issues and experiences. Abstraction involves students in identifying key information while overlooking irrelevant and unrelated information. Finally, children use algorithms when they have to design simple steps to resolve the problems.
It might seem challenging at first to imagine young students solving problems using algorithms. Each of these cornerstones, however, at their core, merges properly into active thinking and learning that occurs in grades K-2. Kids in primary grades want to play. These young souls are never afraid to take risks. By using this natural penchant of young kids to discover and play, and by promoting their natural problem-solving skills, they can move forward their thinking capability. Computational thinking promotes playful, fun-oriented thinking, however, gives it a structure so students can apply their theoretical knowledge into solving real complex tasks. And, it is perhaps easier to invite the young minds to take interest in problem-solving tasks, ultimately improving their computational thinking.
The following are the strategies for integrating computational thinking in early learning classrooms –
Teaching decomposition — This means students are invited into the scenarios where they have to solve problems. Educators share the challenging, multi-step problem and also allow conversations that will help the kids break down the problem. In the process, kids design a framework of computational, strategic thinking to find a solution to a problem.
Teaching pattern recognition — Pattern recognition starts with basic ABAB pattern-making that is educated in the primary grades and later on extends to more challenging and complex thinking. In this process, young minds are invited into analysing one or more similar objects or experiences and determine commonalities.
Teaching abstraction — Abstraction focuses on the details that are relevant and fundamental. The process involves segregating core information from extraneous information.
Teaching algorithms — Algorithmic thinking entails developing solutions to a specific problem. It involves creating sequential rules to follow while solving a problem. Children, in the early grades, learn that the order of how a task is done can have an outcome.
Conclusion
Teaching kids computational thinking strategies means more than just helping them grow interested in computers. It is more profound and much deeper. We are currently living in a world with smart homes and smartphones, and comprehending how these devices function enables us to approach technology as a partner to help us solve problems.
