A School Where Young Programmers Are Born
Published: September 30, 2025
※Prices are subject to change from those in effect at the time of the interview. Please contact the store directly for the latest information.
The lessons begin with a Minecraft character presenting a challenge.
Students first review the challenge and discuss what kind of approach is needed.
Then, they think about what they want to create in an environment where they are free to share their ideas and talk about what they’d like to do.
The Minecraft-based school is becoming popular with kids. In the courses, children spend two to three months building something like a castle, zoo, or aquarium. They all use the same blocks and follow the step-by-step manual, but the final results are different. Each child’s work shows their own ideas and creativity.
With the instructor’s advice, students gradually gain the skills to bring their ideas to life, learning through trial and error along the way.
It’s not programming as one might learn at university, typing lines of code and studying their meaning. Instead, the kids follow along with the teacher, copy the steps, and watch what happens in real time. Later, if their curiosity sparks, they can explore new possibilities on their own. It’s a fresh approach to learning that I had never seen before.
The small class size enables instructors to provide close attention, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment.
The instructor leads the class from a computer at the front, with his screen projected onto a large TV so that every student can clearly follow along, copy the commands, and imitate his steps. The classroom itself is small, with just two rows of desks, which means the instructor always has a clear view of the children and can quickly step in to help whenever someone gets stuck.
At the end of each class, students give a presentation where they share, in their own words, what they enjoyed, what was challenging, and what ideas or techniques they came up with.
This practice helps them organize their thoughts and build confidence in speaking. Listening to classmates also gives them new perspectives and inspiration. Over time, they naturally improve their communication skills along with their programming ability.
At Programming School nikorihito Lab, most of the students are elementary school children, but classes are open to preschoolers through junior high school students as well. Preschoolers can even join with their parents. Since the programming is taught in a highly visual and easy-to-understand way, even complete beginners can attend with confidence.
Using Minecraft naturally sparks their interest in learning independently, which can make parents happy to see them engaged and curious at this school. By mastering the game’s building elements, students can even participate in national Minecraft competitions; in fact, the owners’ own son has won several national awards. If you’d like your child to develop creativity, this school could be a great place to start!
≪English Reporter Journalist Profile≫
・Name：Diana
・Nationality：Spain
・Hobbies：Dancing, Bon Odori, DIY, and Crafts
※Information is based on August 2025. Prices, operating hours, and other details may change. Please verify with the store directly.
※All amounts mentioned in the article are inclusive of taxes.
