Programming, which is both economically significant and mentally stimulating, has been found to benefit the aging brain and to enhance cognitive function at various educational levels. Despite its advantages, challenges persist in standardizing and implementing programming education effectively across both the higher and secondary education levels in Brazil. To shed light on these issues, we conducted a systematic review of programming teaching methods in the Brazilian context, examining gaps, common techniques, approaches, and action opportunities in programming education. This study, which analyzed papers published between 2013 and 2023 in SBC-Open-Lib, revealed several key findings. Robotics and gaming-based methods have emerged as popular techniques to engage students in programming education. These approaches have shown promise in capturing students’ interests and making complex concepts more accessible. However, the review also highlighted the persistent challenges in scaling these methods to reach a broader student population and ensure inclusivity in programming education. Our findings offer valuable recommendations for educational policymakers and educators aiming to foster the development of effective, inclusive, and updated national strategies to teach programming.