Q: Some of my daughter's fifth-grade classmates are going to computer coding camp this summer at a local university. She wants to go, too. It's two weeks for $995. Why is coding suddenly cool? Is the expense worth it?

A: The nation's focus on fostering STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math) has pushed learning to code into the limelight.

A popular video at code.org featuring folks from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to musician will.i.am makes the case that coding is an essential skill you should master before graduating high school. With only one in 10 schools offering coding, summer camps are meeting demand.

As Edsurge editor Betsy Corcoran says on the organization's website, "Every era demands -- and rewards -- different skills." We once taught children to "forge a sword or blow delicate glass, bake bread or create a souffle." These days, we teach them about programming "not so much as an end in itself but because our world has morphed: So many of the things we once did with elements such as fire and iron, or tools such as pencil and paper, (are) now wrought in code. We are teaching coding to help our kids craft their future."

Interest is so strong that Corcoran has just published EdSurge's very first guide: "Teaching Kids To Code" (edsurge.com/guide/teaching-kids-to-code). It provides an overview of what your daughter might learn, why it can help her as she moves up in school, and how it can expand her thinking about career options.

The guide includes a readable essay by MIT Media Lab professor Mitch Resnick explaining why coding is becoming a must-acquire skill. "I see coding (computer programming) as an extension of writing," he says. "The ability to code allows you to 'write' new types of things -- interactive stories, games, animations and simulations."

Just as there are many reasons for everyone to learn to write, says Resnick, "there are powerful reasons for everyone to learn to code."

Students learn many things in the process of learning to code, Resnick adds. "In addition to learning mathematical and computational ideas (such as variables and conditionals), they are also learning strategies for solving problems, designing projects and communicating ideas. These skills are useful not just for computer scientists, but for everyone -- regardless of age, background, interests or occupation."

To see what he means, have some fun with your daughter at Resnick's MIT Media Lab project Scratch (scratch.mit.edu).

Is it worth it? The offerings on EdSurge's list of summer coding camps suggest that they average $1,000 a week, so your local option seems like a good deal. Whether it is worth it in the context of your family budget is something only you can determine.

If the camp price is too steep, make learning to program a family affair by using some of the 40 tools in the EdSurge guide.

The late Steve Jobs famously said, "I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think." As your daughter enters her teen years, that outcome alone might make the investment worthwhile.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: My kids are 6 and 9. We eat fast food too often, so this summer, I want to help them eat better. My goal is to have fewer fights over food and good lunchbox ideas for school. How can we make this a fun learning experience?

A: This is a perfect summer project, says Emily Ziedman, a Seattle-based certified nutritionist who introduces children in area schools to nutritious foods and healthy choices through a Flagship Foundation program (a nonprofit that "inspires and empowers children to make smart, healthy eating choices").

"My teaching is influenced by nutritionist Ellyn Satter's pioneering work," she says. "It emphasizes competency, rather than deficiency, providing rather than depriving, and trust rather than control."

Ziedman helps children understand that parents are in charge of the "what, where and when" of the food we eat.

"It's a parent's job to prepare food, provide regular meals and snacks, and so on," she says. "Children control 'whether' and 'how much.' The best way to educate children is to involve and empower them in family food choices."

Ziedman offers several good ways to do that.

-- One, take them food shopping. At the farmers market or produce aisle, invite them to choose fruits and vegetables they want to try.

Or, ask them to select items for you, suggests Ziedman: "'Can you find me a good tomato?' Once chosen, there's a bit of pride of ownership."

-- Two, involve them in food preparation. "Even if too young to peel or slice, they can wash and dry fruits and vegetables, shred lettuce, stir ingredients and so on," says Ziedman.

-- Three, teach them about food labels. "The longer the list of ingredients, the more processed and less healthy the food," says Ziedman. "Children can count the ingredients, even if they can't read them.

"Examine two different packages of a similar food. For example, an occasional treat might be a bag of chips. Show them how to compare a bag with 10 to 20 ingredients with one with four or five ingredients and fewer fat calories. Discuss why they may choose the one with the shorter list."

-- Four, make simple recipes together. "Vegetarian chili is a great one -- it's easy, balanced and introduces children to a range of textures and tastes," says Ziedman. "Search for versatile recipes to make on Saturday and store for the week ahead. Create a family cookbook of favorites."

Meri Raffetto, a registered dietitian and co-author of the "Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Dummies" (Wiley 2013), tells parents to keep newly discovered foods front and center.

"Have kids make a list of fruits and vegetables they like," she says. "Keep those on hand for snacking. Kids go for fresh fruit if available, so keep a bowl with assorted fruit choices on the kitchen counter. Serve a variety of raw veggies kids enjoy -- such as sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes -- as a dinner side dish."

Last, make dinnertime family time. "Sure, everyone has a million activities," says Ziedman, "but sitting down together during the week and sharing a meal nourishes children with much more than food."

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: I didn't realize how disorganized my fifth-grade son, Garth, was until his teacher told us about multiple uncompleted assignments he had. He enters middle school this fall. She's urged us to work with him on getting his act together this summer, but how?

A: This teacher gets a "C" for flagging the problem ("better late than never") and an "F" for diagnosis.

Garth's incompletes could be due to weak organizational skills, but that's not necessarily the case, says Donna Goldberg, a New York City-based academic coach.

First have an objective talk with Garth. "You might learn, for example, that all the incompletes are from the last class of the day," says Goldberg. "The teacher gives the assignment just before dismissal, after he has stuffed his planner in his backpack. He relies on memory to recall the assignment then forgets. I've seen it happen."

Another reason could be schedule overload. "Some kids go from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They get home, eat, do half their homework and crash. They aren't mature enough to say, 'Hey, I need more breathing room.' Or they may fear a favorite extracurricular activity will be taken away," she notes.

Make an appointment to see the teacher. Probe for specifics, Goldberg advises.

"Are all the incomplete assignments in the same subject? Were some partially complete? Garth may lack key skills in that subject," she says. "This is a common reason kids fail to complete work, yet it goes undetected until testing shows what skills are missing. The teacher assumes lack of diligence when really it's lack of knowledge. Find out what the gaps are and consult with the school counselor about summer tutoring."

If he has incompletes in all subjects, discuss how he keeps track of assignments. Goldberg says many schools expect all students to record assignments in planners and use them to schedule homework and other activities. He may not be writing down assignments. Or he may have trouble scheduling time. Some teachers post assignments online, assuming that students will check the school's site if they forget.

"Works fine in theory," she says, "but in practice it's hard for the undeveloped brain to manage multiple sources of information. They think, 'I'll remember,' but don't."

Goldberg says that no matter how much online information a school offers, it's important for students at this age to record assignments and instructions, which "helps them remember homework and give it importance."

If Garth's incompletes are skills-related, use the summer to catch up. "You can hire excellent teachers to tutor an hour a couple of days a week. Schedule around Garth's summer plans so it isn't a punishment," Goldberg advises.

If his problems are the result of poor organizational skills, tell Garth that come fall, you'll help him make a fresh start. Read Goldberg's practical book, "The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and Beyond" (Touchstone, 2005). When school starts, be proactive: Check in with his teachers to ask how Garth is doing.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)