Code Ninjas Opens in Shiloh to Teach Coding and Computer Skills to Young Learners
Owner Kay Cavataio says Code Ninjas in Shiloh is about more than screen time, giving kids a place to create video games, build skills and connect with other young learners.
Code Ninjas Makes Debut in O'Fallon
SHILOH - Kids in Shiloh have a new way to learn coding and computer skills at Code Ninjas.
Located at 3780 Green Mount Crossing Drive in Shiloh, Code Ninjas offers hands-on coding experience through games and robotics. Kids ages 5–14 can learn how to code and utilize technology in innovative ways. Owner Kay Cavataio looks forward to sharing her love for tech with the next generation.
“Coding is an incredibly important skill for kids to have for the future,” she said. “It helps them in school. We also have an environment where the kids, who we call the ninjas, are helping each other, so we’re building a community.”
Cavataio shared that her own 9-year-old was interested in coding and technology, but didn’t have many opportunities to learn more. She decided to open Code Ninjas to give kids “on this side of the river” more options to learn basic computer skills.
With a variety of camps and afterschool programs available, Code Ninjas aims to provide a creative outlet for children. Kids learn block coding, JavaScript and other coding skills and languages. Cavataio noted that not only is coding fun, but it helps kids build up their academic abilities.
“The coding itself helps them in math. It helps their reading skills because we use block coding as well as other kinds of coding, like JavaScript. So it helps to strengthen those math skills as well as those language arts skills,” she explained.
As technology becomes more advanced and kids are exposed to computers at younger ages, Cavataio believes it’s beneficial for kids to understand how this tech works. She hopes to set kids up for success by helping them utilize and understand computers. Additionally, these machines can foster creativity.
“One thing we love at Code Ninjas is that instead of kids consuming the video games, they are creating the video games,” Cavataio said. “Technology is part of our lives and part of their lives much more than it was when we were younger. But kids have Chromebooks, they have iPads and other things, and they need to be able to know how to use them, not just for consumption but for actually creating.”
With Code Ninjas now open in Shiloh, the business is looking for families and kids who would like to engage with their programs. Cavataio said she is already seeing growth in the kids she has worked with before. She is an educator who teaches coding through Parks and Recreation programs and other initiatives, and she can’t wait to take this a step further through her new business.
She hopes to help many local kids find a creative avenue while building up their coding, math and literacy skills. Code Ninjas aims to foster a community of kids and families, and Cavataio is excited to be a part of this work.
“We’re looking forward to serving our community and working with the parents and working with the schools and working with families to give their kids a place to be and a place where they can belong and a place where they can fit in,” she added. “As a long-time educator, it is so wonderful to be able to see kids grow in their abilities through coding, through the academies, and to also grow personally. We’ve seen lots of growth from the kids who started way back when we were doing our other classes before our beautiful facility was built, and they’ve really come such a long way because they are now able to do more coding, they have more confidence, they have more abilities, and they love coming here and I love seeing them.”
For more information about Code Ninjas at Shiloh, including how to register your child, visit their official webpage.
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