Chess for Kids
How learning chess can keep us connected to the world at large
There are four universal abilities that I wish I could bestow upon every child: how to play a musical instrument, speak a foreign language, enjoy a physical discipline (dance or sports) and play chess. One can go anywhere in the world with three of these ways to communicate without words. To communicate is to connect. The more we connect to others, the more connected we become to the world at large, and connection is both a gift and an art form.
Chess teaches the art of thinking things through before acting but with a conscious mindfulness of time management while incorporating intelligence and intuition as well as creativity and logic to make each choice. It’s also fun and can inspire joy, especially among those of us who enjoy laughing at ourselves.
Games and sports are often synonymous with competitiveness. Chess, however, is one of those great activities in which participants can play with the intention of improving their game rather than merely competing against others.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for children as people, and I am always impressed with how they form conclusions based on observation, logic or intuition. Each child thinks with unique aspects of their brain depending upon where they are on the spectrum – from learning disabled to gifted – and yet they all possess genius in their own way. As a chess teacher and a mother, I am privileged enough to witness this firsthand; it’s thrilling and fascinating.
Chess is arguably one of the most complicated games to learn; but for a child with a porous sponge of a brain, it’s nothing more than additional information. The most brilliant minds among us are often children under the age of 10.
Please check local community-based programs for chess classes. I guarantee it will be an investment in your child’s future in more ways than you can imagine.
J.D. Smith is a writer/performer and an advocate for equality who just happens to also be a psychic mama. She teaches chess to children and enjoys creative methods of archiving.