Two-year-olds should learn to code, says computing pioneer

Early start would encourage women to become programmers and reduce gender stereotyping, argues Stephanie Shirley

Children as young as two should be introduced to the basics of coding, according to one of Britain's most eminent computing pioneers.

Dame Stephanie Shirley, whose company was one of the first to sell software in the 1960s, said that engaging very young children - in particular girls - could ignite a passion for puzzles and problem-solving long before the "male geek" stereotype took hold.