In this age, computers are everywhere and it looks like they will be even more in the foreseeable future. Even if you're not going to be a programmer, having an idea about what a computer (in the general sense of the word) really is and how it works can only be useful. At least as much as knowing how photosynthesis works, and probably more.

Add to this that programming can really help kids develop their problem solving abilities AND their creativity, and that it can be done in a fun way, and I would argue that the introduction of programming could be very beneficial to the development of kids.