A debate rages right now over whether we should be teaching every kid to code. While a noble idea, history tells us that won't be very effective. Code is merely the means to implement an idea. Kids first need to learn how to properly form ideas computationally. After all, you've got to walk before you can run. This session will argue why computational thinking aims to become not only an essential problem-solving skill, but as an essential way to understand life in the 21st century.