I'll be honest with you, when I first started Evergreen Code, I had a lot of conversations with parents who felt guilty about screen time. I get it. We all see kids these days glued to tablets, watching videos, playing games, and there's this nagging question: Is this good for them?
But here's what I've learned after working with hundreds of students: not all screen time is created equal. Against the pleas of my marketing team, I’ll actually explain why kids could have more screen time. There's a huge difference between passively consuming content and actively creating something. And that difference? It changes everything.
The Real Reason Parents Are Choosing Coding Classes
Let me paint you a picture. A parent comes to me and says, "My daughter is really into her iPad, but I wish she was doing something more... productive?" There's always a little uncertainty in that statement, like they're not quite sure what they're looking for.
What they're really asking is: How do I help my child develop skills that will actually matter?
They’re also asking*: How do I get my kid to stop playing Roblox all day?*
We're living in a world where the jobs these kids might not even exist yet. Whether you’ve had your coffee this morning determines whether that’s exciting or terrifying. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that tech roles will grow faster than most other industries, but here's the thing: I don't teach coding because I want every kid to become a software engineer. I teach it because the skills they learn while coding are the same skills they'll need no matter what path they choose.
Problem-solving. Logical thinking. The ability to break down something complicated into manageable pieces. Persistence when something doesn't work the first time, or the tenth time. These aren't just tech skills. They're life skills.
What Actually Happens in a Coding Class
I think there's a misconception that coding classes are just kids staring at screens typing gibberish. In reality, it's one of the most interactive, creative, and collaborative activities I've seen.
Here's what a typical session looks like: A student is building a simple game. Maybe it's a maze, or a quiz app, or something they dreamed up themselves. They write some code. It doesn't work. They get frustrated. Then, and this is the important part, they start asking questions. "Why did it do that?" "What if I tried this instead?"
That right there? That's computational thinking. That's the scientific method in action. And it's happening naturally, because they're invested in making their project work.
What I love most is watching kids realize they can create things, not just consume them. One of my students, a quiet twelve-year-old who rarely spoke up in class, built her first app last year. It was simple, a daily mood tracker, but the pride on her face when she showed her parents was everything. She didn't just learn to code. She learned that she's capable of building something from nothing.
The Skills That Actually Stick
I'm not here to tell you that every child needs to learn Python or JavaScript. What I am here to tell you is that the process of learning to code teaches kids how to think differently.
Studies show that students exposed to coding early perform better in math and logical reasoning. But beyond the data, I see it every week: kids who approach problems more methodically, who aren't afraid to experiment and fail, who can explain their thinking process clearly.
These are the skills the World Economic Forum ranks among the most important for the future: problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking. And coding is one of the most efficient ways to develop all of them at once. Fun fact: debugging code is just a fancy way of saying ‘detective work’, except the crime is you from 10 minutes ago.
Even if your child never pursues a career in technology, and many won't, they'll still carry forward the ability to think through complex challenges, adapt to new systems, and tackle problems with confidence. Those skills transfer to everything: school projects, science experiments, planning a trip, managing their time, navigating relationships.
Why Age Matters (And Why It's Never Too Early or Too Late)
One question I get all the time is: "When should my child start?"
The answer depends on what you're hoping they'll get out of it.
Elementary school is about planting seeds. At this age, coding builds curiosity and confidence. Kids learn that technology isn't magic, it's something they can understand and control. We focus on logic games, visual programming, and creative projects that feel like play.
Middle school is where things get structured. Students are ready for more complex thinking and can start building real projects. This is when coding becomes a tool for self-expression, they're not just following tutorials, they're creating games, apps, and websites that reflect their interests.
High school is about building a portfolio and exploring career readiness. At this stage, coding can open doors—to internships, college applications, entrepreneurial projects, or just a deeper understanding of the technology that shapes their world.
The key is meeting kids where they are and giving them room to grow at their own pace.
What Makes Evergreen Code Different
I didn't want to create another generic coding bootcamp. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials and flashy apps out there. What's missing is structure, guidance, and a human being who knows your child and can adapt to how they learn.
At Evergreen Code, we don't teach kids to memorize syntax. We teach them how to think. How to approach a problem they've never seen before. How to iterate and improve. How to work through frustration without giving up.
We also focus on fundamentals that scale. The languages and tools will change, they always do, but the underlying logic and problem-solving skills remain constant. That's why I chose the name Evergreen. I wanted families to know that what their kids learn here won't become obsolete in five years.
A Note to Parents Who Feel Overwhelmed
I know that choosing the right extracurricular activity for your child can feel like a high-stakes decision. Soccer or music lessons? Art class or coding? There's only so much time, and you want to make sure it counts.
Here's what I'd say: coding doesn't have to replace other activities. Many of our students also play sports, take art classes, or participate in theater. Coding complements those things because it exercises a different part of the brain. It's structured, logical, and cumulative—each skill builds on the last. And if your child tries it and decides it's not for them? That's okay too. At least they'll have a better understanding of how the digital world works, and that alone is valuable.
Looking Ahead
Technology will keep evolving. The apps our kids use today will be replaced by new ones. The programming languages that are popular now might fade in relevance. But the ability to think clearly, solve problems creatively, and approach challenges with confidence? Those skills are timeless.
That's what Evergreen Code is really about. Not just preparing kids for a career in tech (though that's certainly an option) but preparing them to navigate a world that's increasingly shaped by technology, with the tools and mindset to succeed no matter what path they choose.
If you're curious whether coding might be a good fit for your child, I'd love to talk. We offer free intro sessions where kids can try a project and see if it clicks. No pressure, no commitment, just a chance to explore.
Because every child deserves the opportunity to discover what they're capable of building.