Computer Programming Language as Tool for Developing Primary School Pupils’ Academic and Thinking Skills

Abstract

The role of computer programming in today’s society cannot be over-emphasized due to its role in ensuring that learners acquire the needed skills to function and become educated citizens of society and in the development of individuals’ cognitive ability. This paper seeks to define the term programming and its importance, the main body of the paper brings together existing research outcomes about the learning and importance of the acquisition of computer programming skills at the early age of learners. In doing so, it identifies the needs and the importance of the inclusion of computer programming language in the school curriculum, especially at the primary school level which is the foundation stage of a child’s education. The Piagetian constructivism theory serves as the basis for this study as it explained how children learn and construct their knowledge in their foundational years which is important to the learning of programming in the early years of learners. The paper concludes by drawing a summary of the importance and needs to include computer programming language in the primary school ICT curriculum as learning computer programming tends to support cognitive development among learners.