Yes, Minecraft Club is Educational and Developmental, but Above All, It’s About Friendship
How can simple pixelated blocks on a screen create such a big change in a child who was previously reserved, shy, and quiet?
Many parents have asked themselves this as the Neurodiversity Friendly Minecraft Club at School of Gaming has now been running for several months. Some parents have even suggested that game education should be recognized as an official form of therapy, complete with state support!
While video games always affect children differently, too little attention and media coverage have been given to their positive impact on neurodiverse children. Conversations about gaming and neurodiversity often focus on challenges and negative effects. The opportunities and benefits are discussed far less.
When guided correctly and played in a safe environment, gaming can offer neurodiverse children exactly what they need:
✔ A sense of community
✔ Acceptance
✔ The chance to learn essential skills at their own pace
Throughout fall 2024, we’ve seen how our Minecraft Club has helped neurodiverse children make friends, improve as gamers and digital citizens, and develop key social skills.
Gaming as a Tool for Growth
For neurodiverse children, gaming can be a space where their unique traits are seen as strengths. We use Minecraft in our club for a few special reasons. It is a creative environment where children can build, explore, and tell stories without the stress of fast-paced action or competition. Our trained game educators and the School of Gaming’s unique Playful Learning Method create a structured space combined with freedom of play where everyone can feel safe and accepted.
Research supports this approach and acknowledges the benefits of playing video games. Safe and inclusive gaming environments, like School of Gaming's, emphasize the positive effects of gaming and enhance emotional skill development such as empathy and social interaction. In these type of settings, learning happens through play without excessive pressure. Everybody is accepted as who they are which also helps build self-confidence.
More Than Just Playing
Feedback from our clubs shows how gaming can have a positive impact on everyday life:
"The club has helped my child understand that good behavior is the norm. My child has learned that rudeness doesn’t belong in gaming. If he plays outside School of Gaming and there are toxic players in a game, he either ignores them or switches to another game."
Our trained game educators (gedus) don’t really teach gaming. No, they teach values: fairness, kindness, and respectful behavior. At the same time, they help children learn to deal with setbacks, resolve conflicts in a constructive way, and think critically. These skills extend beyond gaming into everyday life.
Gaming as a Social and Narrative Learning Experience
Minecraft clubs are a great example of how gaming can be more than just sitting alone in front of a screen. Players tell stories, build worlds together, and learn to share responsibilities in teams. This helps develop communication and problem-solving skills that are just as important outside the gaming world.
Additionally, games like Minecraft give children a way to express themselves in their own unique way. For neurodiverse children, this can be an important tool for discovering their creativity and identity. Playing together can also reduce feelings of loneliness.
Gaming as Part of a Healthy Routine
One important lesson families learn from our clubs is that gaming can be a positive part of a child’s routine, as long as gaming habits are healthy. As one parent put it:
“For us, the neurodiversity-friendly club has been fantastic. I don’t play games myself, and I’m not really interested in them, so this club has been a great way to support my child’s gaming. Creativity in games, storytelling, and the social aspects of gaming are a much better way to spend time than just watching TV.”
The clubs help parents understand how games can be educational tools rather than threats or wasted time. A positive attitude toward a child’s interests allows for better communication about gaming and other aspects of daily life, strengthening the parent-child bond.
Friendship Above All
The one thing parents want most for their children is friends. For neurodiverse children, making friends can sometimes feel like an impossible challenge. That’s why every new friendship, as all parents of neurodiverse children know, is priceless.
“The club teaches fair play, and my child refers to other club members as friends.”
School of Gaming’s Minecraft clubs are a great example of how gaming can be an educational tool and a positive experience, especially for neurodiverse children. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive community where every child can find friends and feel like they belong. And all of this happens through fun and play!
We believe that when gaming is structured and values-driven, it can equip children with the skills they need to succeed. And not just in games, but in life.
PS. Come Try It Out!
If you want to provide your child with a safe and developmentally supportive gaming environment, check out our Neurodiversity Friendly Minecraft Clubs:
✔ Neurodiversity Friendly Minecraft Club for 7-9 year olds
✔ Neurodiversity Friendly Minecraft Club for 9-12 year olds