Why Offer Chess in Schools?
1) History
Chess is a classic game of strategy, invented more than 1500 years ago
in India. Legend has it that the ruler of India asked his wise men to devise
a way
to
teach the children of the royal family to become better thinkers and better generals
on the battlefield. Chess was the result. In the centuries since its invention,
chess has spread to every country in the world. While countless other games
have died out, chess lives on. In the United States, it has received endorsements
by many educators, ranging from Benjamin Franklin to former U.S. Secretary
of Education, Terrell Bell.
2) Academic Benefits
We have brought chess to the schools because we believe it directly contributes
to academic performance. Chess makes kids smarter. It does so by teaching
the following skills:
Focusing - Children are taught the benefits of observing carefully and concentrating. If they dont watch what is happening, they cant respond to it, no matter how smart they are.Visualizing - Children are prompted to imagine a sequence of actions before it happens. We actually strengthen the ability to visualize by training them to shift the pieces in their mind, first one, then several moves ahead.
Thinking Ahead - Children are taught to think first, then act. We teach them to ask themselves If I do this, what might happen then, and how can I respond? Over time, chess helps develop patience and thoughtfulness.
Weighing Options - Children are taught that they dont have to do the first thing that pops into their mind. They learn to identify alternatives and consider the pros and cons of various actions.
Analyzing Concretely - Children learn to evaluate the results of specific actions and sequences. Does this sequence help me or hurt me? Decisions are better when guided by logic, rather than impulse.
Thinking Abstractly - Children are taught to step back periodically from details and consider the bigger picture. They also learn to take patterns used in one context and apply them to different, but related situations.
Planning - Children are taught to develop longer range goals and take steps toward bringing them about. They are also taught of the need to reevaluate their plans as new developments change the situation.
Juggling Multiple Considerations Simultaneously - Children are encouraged not to become overly absorbed in any one consideration, but to try to weigh various factors all at once.
None of these skills are specific to chess, but they are all part of
the game. The beauty of chess as a teaching tool is that it stimulates
childrens
minds and helps them to build these skills while enjoying themselves.
As a result, children become more critical thinkers, better problem solvers,
and
more independent decision makers.
3) Educational Research
These conclusions have been backed up by educational research. Studies
have been done in various locations around the United States and Canada,
showing that chess results in increased scores on standardized tests
for both reading and math. A study on a large scale chess program in
New York
City, which
involved more than 100 schools and 3,000 children, showed higher classroom
grades in both English and Math for children involved in chess. Studies
in Houston, Texas and Bradford, Pennsylvania showed chess leads to higher
scores
on the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal and the Torrance Tests
of Creative Thinking.
4) Social Benefits
In the schools, chess often serves as a bridge, bringing together
children of different ages, races and genders in an activity they
can all enjoy. Chess
helps
build individual friendships and also school spirit when children compete together
as teams against other schools. Chess also teaches children about sportsmanship
- how to win graciously and not give up when encountering defeat. For
children with adjustment issues, there are many examples where
chess has led to increased motivation, improved behavior, better self-image,
and even improved attendance. Chess provides a positive social outlet,
a wholesome
recreational activity that can be easily learned and enjoyed at any age.
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