Megan Smith, a well-known figure in the fields of education and technology, once stated that she believed that young children should be taught to code. She thinks that teaching students to code should begin in the second grade, when they are beginning to read.

Smith views coding as a new language for the digital age, which informs her viewpoint. She contends that coding gives kids a potent way to comprehend and engage with technology, much like reading and writing abilities open up worlds of information and communication. Similar to how early exposure to math and science improves cognitive development, teaching children to code at a young age can foster logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Smith herself has had a remarkable career in public service and technology. She worked on projects that included advocating for computer science education for all students while she was President Barack Obama's Chief Technology Officer from 2014 to 2017. Prior to her position with the government, Smith was an important member of Google's leadership team, making major contributions to initiatives like Google Maps and establishing the company's mobile technology presence.

The goal of teaching young students to code is to help them understand that digital tools can be used for innovation and creative expression, rather than just teaching them programming languages. Children can use code to create websites, apps, and games in the same way that they would with paints or building blocks. This early introduction facilitates communication between creators and consumers of technology.

Smith essentially argues that, like reading and writing, coding education should be viewed as a basic life skill. By urging second graders to experiment with this new language of digital creation, she hopes to create a future in which everyone uses technology from a young age, both actively and passively.