Why does chess make kids smarter?
I recently came across this article in the Inquirer.net written by
When we say “OK! That’s the end of today’s chess class,” and hear a room full of young voices saying “No, we want to stay!” that’s when we know a definite connection has been achieved.
Parents and teachers around the globe are very proud when their children learn to play chess. They know it’s good for their kids. But why? Why is excellent chess instruction so beneficial to educational growth?
Let’s start with some basics. Kids do not get smarter when they’re forced to learn things that don’t interest them. They lose interest when they are not challenged. They also lose interest when they don’t understand what is being taught.
The best chess teachers are challenging and fun, while smoothly increasing the level of skill and understanding of each student. When teaching chess is approached that way, the kids remain interested and they improve. Studies done around the world prove that teaching chess to children has a very positive impact on their lives.
Laura Sherman founded Your Chess Coach (www.YourChessCoach.com) with her husband, Dan Sherman. The couple’s full-time profession is teaching children to play chess. Along with Bill Kilpatrick, founder of several professional specialty schools, they provide consulting around the globe helping improve the ability of coaches, parents and educators to teach chess to children.
