Students as young as 8 years old are learning computer software coding in Orange County.

Third grader Sebastian Wright from Princeton Elementary School is taking a 16 week course on software coding.

“It’s cool you are able to make the computer do things instead of it telling you,” Wright said.

The teacher, Mr. Kyle Steele, is the CEO of Source Code B46.

His goal is to teach programming to kids before they reach the sixth grade.  

Steele said learning coding does more for students than just understanding computers; it also teaches them high level thinking skills, reading literacy skills and increases their confidence.

Orange County School District leaders said this is the first effort of its kind, teaching kids as early as third grade the basics of coding.

It’s part of a national push to bring more Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics instruction into classrooms throughout the country.

“It helps develop a whole child if applied or used correctly,” said Steele.

They have this program going on in six different schools throughout Orange County.

Steele is currently teaching more than 500 students.

Third grader Emerson Self didn't know much about coding before signing up for the program, but was still excited.

“I didn’t really know what it was so I thought it would be fun,” said Self.

“At third, fourth and fifth grade they are not trying to create the next programmer. That is not the job of an elementary school teacher; they are worried about growing that child up and getting that child prepared to be academically strong,” added Steele.