@Tom Gonzalez - ... Or, there is the (Xbox) XBMC Media Center:
"... a free and open source cross-platform ... it has a skinnable as well as user-configurable interface and plugin support.
Tho, it uses Python, instead of PHP.

But for real, it is notoriously difficult to 'direct' programming training. Nor is early experience, aptitude or expressed interest a particularly strong indicator of future ability/success in the field of programming & software development.

Take for example the lead developer of a product called WordPress: Matt Mullenweg was primarily into music; he attend a special High School for Music & Art. He began messing with code, in hopes to salvage a roundly-mocked script called "B2" for use in managing his out-of-control indulgence of photography.

And the rest is history. Matt the ardent saxophonist & shutter-bug went on to create ... Jazz-Quotes.com

But that is pretty striking - having another kid write a plugin. Good luck. :)