There’s a lot of negative talk about common core standards and we understand why. It can be confusing for some and to many parents it feels like a new complicated system when the old system was working fine. At CodeREV Kids we understand these feelings but there are also a few things we want every parent to understand about common core standards.

1. Common core requires more critical thinking

We believe it’s important for kids to not just memorize facts but to use their critical thinking skills. The type of thinking kids learn doing common core are the same types of thinking skills they’ll need when they get a job, work toward college, or get into a trade. Yes, kids need to learn facts but they also need to learn how to think critically. In fact, that’s one of the reasons more kids are learning how to code.

2. Expectations should be high

In our experience, there’s no better way to predict how successful a child will be than to look at how much their parents expect from them. You should expect your children to do well with common core and in turn they will. However, if you give them the feeling that it’s something they’ll never learn, then chances are decent that they’ll never learn.

3. You’ll need to monitor their progress

Part of your job as a parent is to monitor your child’s educational process and this is true of common core as well. You’ll need to make sure they’re on track and that they are participating, taking active roles, and thinking creatively inside and outside of school.

4. It’s time to recognize that all kids can learn

It’s true that not every child learns in the same way. That’s why we offer flex coding courses for kids that allow your child to learn at their own pace. However, just because every kid may learn differently doesn’t mean that some kids can’t learn. Some kids may pick up info quickly while others need more time and patience. Some need more time with a class while others need more one-on-one time with a tutor.

No matter what your child’s learning type is, the reality is that you can provide them with the tools they need to succeed in their education and in their life. For many kids, learning to code is an important leg up that helps them for their entire academic career – and well beyond!