Contrary to belief, certain video games can be beneficial to children's development in both academic and non-academic ways & Minecraft is a good example of such.

Minecraft compliments many core disciplines, including maths, reading and writing and science:

• Minecraft can educate children about elements and compounds, and the way that different materials interact, such as water, sand, wood and dynamite.
• Crafting helps them learn how materials can be made into other objects, and in particular can aid with learning geology, chemistry and the periodic table.
• Farming such as growing crops and harvesting other natural materials from various climates corresponds to practices in the real world and teaches about the conditions in which certain plants can thrive, aiding with both biology and geography.
• Users must calculate how many blocks will be needed to craft or build 3D compound shapes when making buildings.
• Parents have noted immense improvement in their children's vocabulary and language skills, as well as reading and spelling.

However, education is not simply about learning maths, science, literature etc. It is about developing vital life skills such as communication and teamwork/collaboration, as well as enhancing creativity and problem solving, all of which Minecraft encourages.

• Creativity: Minecraft creative mode in particular provides an open world experience where users can create almost anything they can imagine. By playing in survival mode, creativity is certainly still a huge aspect, where users must think creatively to source life-sustaining materials and build shelter to survive.
• Problem-solving: Users must figure out how certain contraptions such as traps can be built and function successfully. In survival mode, they are randomly placed in various -sometimes extreme- environments, and must quickly figure out what they need to survive.
• Communication and collaboration: multi-player mode means when playing with other users teamwork and effective communication is vital.

Minecraft is also educational for adults: it has built a giant virtual library of censored books and texts for anyone around the world to access

In partnership with Reporters Without Borders, Minecraft has built a censor-busting virtual library. It's not only a fascinating project, it's also architecturally stunning.