Is it important to educate children on Computer Science early on in their school years? Why or why not? originally appeared on Quora, the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus.

Computing skills are increasingly important 21st century skills, so it is important that all children have access to opportunities to learn these skills, regardless of race, economic class, ability, and so on. Research evidence continues to suggest that early, repeated exposure does increase the likelihood that girls will be interested in and pursue computing education. Students who have been exposed to computer science, especially programming and other forms of rigorous computer science education, report feeling more prepared for college-level courses. Those students who lack early exposure feel like they are already behind when they get to college courses. Students whose exposure has only been as a user of computers (through video games or design software, for instance) may find they are unprepared for the problem solving and logical thinking it takes to do computer science. But, participation in coding activities, robotics, and other computer science classes and clubs can help them feel they “belong” in a computing field. And, that feeling of belonging can help to carry them through a college degree. Some evidence suggests that those who study computer science in college--even if they study it in conjunction with another field--will be more likely to pursue it in their careers.

Although there is much to be gained by early exposure, it’s also important to remember that all is not lost if students do not received computer science education early on in school. Computer science is a set of learned skills, which can be picked up at any point in one’s life.

NCWIT has several resources that can help even non-computer science-trained people expose students to important computing concepts: see CS Unplugged and Top 10 Ways Families can Encourage Girls’ Interest in Computing.

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