COMPUTATIONAL THINKING BEYOND CODING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: REFRAMING CS EDUCATION FOR THE AGE OF AI

Computational thinking (CT) is increasingly recognized globally as a fundamental skill for the 21st century, yet its implementation in computer science (CS) education often is still limited to coding activities (Bers, 2018). It is essential to reframe CT as a cognitive approach that supports computational inquiry, problem-solving, and ethical AI engagement, starting from early education using developmentally appropriate tools like ScratchJr (Papadakis, 2020). In the age of artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancements, CS education faces a critical need to evolve beyond traditional approaches.