Osmo’s latest parent survey reinforces what most parents already knew–that coding skills and STEAM education are a desirable means to future-proof kids and will help them become successful. To complement survey results, Osmo debuts a Coding Starter Kit (VIDEO) which combines 3 coding bestsellers and features new hardware. Osmo is an award-winning, educational STEAM brand used in over 30,000 schools and 2.5 million homes.
In the OnePoll-conducted survey of 2000 U.S. parents of school-aged children, over 80% believe in future-proofing kids with necessary skills to ensure career success; 75% believe coding will be a required job skill; and 79% want their child to start learning coding at a very young age. Also, 71% think coding should be mandatory in elementary education. Many early childhood education teachers agree coding is a vital life skill and learning coding helps kids develop creativity and problem-solving skills.
How do parents future-proof their kids? Data shows 67% have tried to encourage children to pursue their areas of interest, 53% have introduced their kids to educational shows and games, and 47% have introduced structured learning (i.e. workbooks, flashcards). However, 66% do not know where to start when it comes to coding education.
While 57% of parents have tried coding themselves, ironically, over one-third do not feel proficient in math or technology, 3 in 10 do not feel proficient in writing and science, and understandably, 70% feel their child is much more proficient with technology.
Top subjects they would like their child to be competent in include: technology (65%); math (55%); science (49%); writing/grammar (43%); and physical fitness (36%). Careers they see their child pursuing based on current interests are: STEM (35%); healthcare/wellness (31%); and food (28%).
To get kids engaged with STEAM learning at home, Osmo creates hands-on games that make coding accessible, fun, and engaging for kids ages 5-10, and teach them basic concepts of coding “block by block” at an age-appropriate pace.
“Hands-on games help prepare kids for higher-level learning and build confidence around coding,” says Osmo CEO Pramod Sharma. “Through play, kids transform their tablet into a coding adventure, where they connect colorful blocks of code in the physical world to chart their adventure on the screen.”
3 New At-Home Kits
In Coding Starter Kit, which combines 3 coding bestsellers Coding Awbie, Coding Jam and Coding Duo (no longer sold separately), children learn basic coding concepts including problem solving, computational thinking, and coding fundamentals, in addition to more complex concepts, such as sequencing, looping, logic thinking, and pair programming.
Coding Starter Kit (retail $99; kids 5 to 10) features: novel packaging; hardware updates, such as durable, new coding blocks/game pieces which can be used across all 3 games; and the introduction of sequenced learning via 3 game levels–Coding Awbie/beginning, Coding Jam/intermediate, Coding Duo/advanced. (IMAGES)
Osmo also introduces 2 other kits featuring new digital games: Genius Starter Kit + Family Game Night ($139.99 retail; kids 6 to 10; VIDEO); and Little Genius Starter Kit + Early Math Adventure ($119.99 retail; kids 3 to 5; VIDEO).
All 3 kits are available for iPad and Fire at playosmo.com and Amazon.com.
About Osmo
Osmo is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. Learn more at playosmo.com.
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