i was taught to code in school in the 4th and 5th grades.  i don't recall any of the specifics (including the language) beyond that it was on ancient apples and i coded a program that drew a ferris wheel rotating around and flashing words 
 
and now i'm a senior in computer engineering.  go figure.  by teaching a kid to computer programming you might be condemning him to a poor job market and slaving over a keyboard for life 
