We Are Teachers states, in an article written by Jennifer Williams (2017), that the kinds of skills students learn through coding are not only related to the technology but include, among others listed:
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Persistence
Processing Skills
Determination
These are indeed life skills. Amazingly, the processing area of skill development addresses language and literacy as the article suggests:
When you do coding, it really is like a whole new language, which definitely encourages processing skills. It might not be your typical French, Spanish or German class, but this is a universal language. No matter where you go in the world, if you speak code, you’ll be able to communicate, which is pretty cool.
As well, in the general process of the coding projects, these language and literacy skills support the entire process of concept development and design, exploration and discovery and innovation and application. This is truly amazing in its potential!
In an article I wrote on the subject of new ways of thinking, I encourage teachers to focus on the process as much as the actual content when assessing what students are learning and how they are learning it:
Identifying new skills here does not refer to content area as much as process; thinking, interaction, collaboration, communication, application: All represent areas of process. Each of these areas is included in any process of teaching and learning.
That is, teachers being involved in assessment that not only assesses the outcome of the process but the process itself. 
Coding provides the “evidence” of a thoroughly thought-through process of reasoning and application in order for the designed outcome or product to be observed.
TIP: Think of coding as the result of a process of thought.
Coming up next, “Coding is too difficult for me, so I can’t help students think about it.” Stay tuned...