Why Schools Must Start Teaching Coding at a Very Early Age

Education as we know it is undergoing a massive transformation. In the next coming decade, the kinds of jobs, the skills we need, and even how we define intelligence will change drastically. Automation, AI, robotics, and tools like large language models are already changing the way industries work-from factories and banks to hospitals and schools.

In a rapidly evolving world, knowing how to code is more important than ever. It’s a basic literacy, just like reading, writing, and math. And the earlier children start learning it, the better prepared they are for the future.

The Reality Inside Most School Computer Labs

When we visit schools, one challenge appears again and again:

• Limited number of computers
• Small computer labs compared to student strength
• One system shared by multiple students
• Coding being taught largely as a theoretical classroom subject

Due to infrastructure constraints, coding is often taught through chalk-and-talk or presentations instead of practical experience. While classroom explanation is perfectly fine at the very initial stage-to introduce logic, sequencing, and problem-solving-coding cannot remain theoretical for long.

Coding is a skill.
And skills can only be learned by doing.

Without enough practice time on actual systems, students struggle to:

• Build logical thinking
• Debug errors
• Understand cause-and-effect in programs
• Gain confidence in writing code independently

Why Infrastructure Expansion Is Not Always Practical for Schools

We completely understand why schools struggle to scale computer infrastructure.
Adding laptops or desktops for every student is:

• Capital-intensive
• Difficult to maintain
• Logistically complex
• Often not feasible within school budgets

But the good news is-there is a solution.

The problem is not lack of intent.
The problem is how coding is delivered.

Moving from Classroom-Only Teaching to Practical Learning

This is where blended and platform-based learning becomes extremely powerful.

With platforms like CYFI by Nesta Toys, schools do not need to depend entirely on physical computer labs to teach coding effectively.

Here’s how the model works:

• Teachers explain concepts, logic, and problems during class.
• Students practice actual coding at home using laptops, desktops, or tablets
• Learning continues beyond school hours-without infrastructure pressure

Today, the reality is that most students already have access to a device at home-whether it is:

• A laptop
• A desktop
• A tablet
• Or a shared family system

CYFI’s online platform can be accessed anytime, anywhere, simply by creating an account. This allows schools to convert coding from a limited lab activity into a continuous, hands-on learning process.

How CYFI Enables Practical Coding at Scale

CYFI is not just a video-based course. It is a structured, in-built learning platform designed specifically for students.

What schools gain:

• Ready-made coding courses aligned to age and skill levels
• Hands-on programming environments
• Clear progression from logic to actual coding
• Reduced dependency on lab availability

Teachers can:

• Teach theory in school
• Assign practical coding homework
• Track student progress digitally
• This approach ensures that coding becomes practical, not performative.

Why Early Coding Education Is Critical for the Future

The jobs today’s children will do may not even exist yet.

In the next 10 years:

• Many traditional roles will be automated
• New careers will be built around AI, data, and intelligent systems
• Problem-solving and computational thinking will matter more than rote knowledge

By introducing coding early, schools help children:

• Understand how technology works, not just how to use it
• Develop logical and structured thinking
• Build confidence in solving complex problems
• Treat coding as a habit or hobby, not a burden

Early exposure allows students to naturally progress from:

• Visual logic 
• Text-based programming 
• Advanced concepts like AI, automation, and even LLMs

Instead of being passive consumers of technology, students become creators and builders.

Coding Is Not About Creating Programmers-It’s About Creating Thinkers

Not every child needs to become a software engineer.
But every child needs to think logically, reason clearly, and adapt quickly.

Coding teaches:

• Reasoning
• Sequencing
• Debugging
• Patience
• Systems thinking

These skills apply to every future profession.

The Way Forward for Schools

Schools do not need to overhaul their infrastructure overnight.
They need to rethink delivery.

By combining:

• Classroom instruction
• At-home practical coding
• Structured digital platforms like CYFI

Schools can offer world-class coding education without massive capital investment.

The future is not about how many computers a school owns.
It’s about how effectively students are enabled to learn.

And the time to start is now.