4 Benefits of Playing Chess In (Young) Children<\/h1>\n
While many parents and avid chess-lovers have long spoken about positive impacts on child development from learning and playing chess<\/a>, those suspicions are rarely followed up by hard facts. Today, we want to change that and take a closer look at the science behind why every child should play chess. For that, we did a deep-dive into chess science and neighboring fields of study to find out how exactly children can benefit from learning and playing chess.<\/strong><\/p>\n This 2012 study by Farhad Kazemi, Mozafar Yektayar, Ali Mohammadi Bolban Abad<\/a> examined the effect of learning and playing chess on meta-cognitive ability and mathematical problem-solving skills. For that, the researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial with 86 students being taught chess for 6 months, with a control group of 94 students receiving no treatment. The subjects were almost equally distributed between fifth, eigthts and ninths grade.<\/p>\n The results show that students learning and playing chess did better in tests for both meta-cognitive ability as well as mathematical problem solving skills.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This lets us conclude that children and early teens benefit from playing chess in general cognitive ability, as well as math in particular. This effect was positive and significant across all grades. Similiar results have been found in previous studies, such as the one carried out by Gaudreau (1992) in New Brunswick, Canada.<\/strong><\/p>\n So, if you want your child to improve their mathematical (and cognitive) abilities, teaching them how to play chess is certainly a good idea.<\/p>\n There is no doubt about it \u2013 chess is a social game. While you might have fun playing against the computer, chess is much more enjoyable<\/strong> if it is played human-to-human, face-to-face.<\/p>\n To examine the influence chess plays on social intelligence and social-emotional enrichment, Ram\u00f3n Aciego<\/span>, <\/span>Lorena Garc\u00eda<\/span>\u00a0and <\/span>Mois\u00e9s Betancort conducted an extensive study<\/a> with 170 schoolchildren aged 6-16 years old. The study split the group into chess players<\/strong> and those engaging in different extracurricular activities<\/strong>, in this case basketball and soccer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This study tried to close a research gap that existed for decades in chess science. We’re talking about the personality types of chess players, in particular children who take it up voluntarily as a hobby. Merim <\/span>Bilali\u0107 <\/span><\/span>Peter <\/span>McLeod and <\/span><\/span><\/a>Fernand <\/span>Gobet used the Big Five model<\/a> to create an image of what makes a young chess player.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The researchers used a group of 219 young children that play chess regularly and 50 of their peers that don’t play the royal game. The results were quite interesting<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While stereotypes might suggest that chess players tend to be more introverted, this is however not the case in young chess playing children. The study found that children who score higher on Intellect\/openness and Energy\/extraversion are more likely to play chess while children who score higher on Agreeableness are less likely to be attracted to chess.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Admittetly, this reason is not (yet) backed up by science, but our very own perception of the game (we might be a bit biased here). Chess is an incredibly fun and challenging game every child should at least try once. Obviously, it might not be for everyone, but giving it a try certainly won’t hurt<\/strong>!<\/span><\/p>\n Now that we’ve established the clear benefits of playing chess in children, the next logical question is: When should I start to teach my child how to play chess?<\/p>\n When<\/span> it<\/span> comes<\/span> to<\/span> chess<\/span>,<\/span> there<\/span> is<\/span> no<\/span> one<\/span> definitive<\/span> answer<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> question<\/span> of<\/span> when<\/span> kids<\/span> should<\/span> start<\/span> playing<\/span> the<\/span> game<\/span>.<\/span> Some<\/span> experts<\/span> argue<\/span> that<\/span> chess<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> beneficial<\/span> for<\/span> kids<\/span> as<\/span> young<\/span> as<\/span> four<\/span> or<\/span> five<\/span> years<\/span> old<\/span>,<\/span> while<\/span> others<\/span> believe<\/span> that<\/span> kids<\/span> shouldn<\/span>\u2019<\/span>t<\/span> start<\/span> playing<\/span> until<\/span> they<\/span>\u2019<\/span>re<\/span> at<\/span> least<\/span> seven<\/span> or<\/span> eight<\/span>. Personally, we’d suggest getting your kids started with chess as early as possible!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Obviously it makes no sense to expect a child to learn chess<\/a> before it can even hold the chess pieces or make moves. But if the individual maturity level and interest in the game allows for it, why not start as soon as possible! Human brains are known to be the most plastic (i. e. able to learn and store new information) in our youngest years.<\/p>\n Lots of parents want their children to learn and play chess, but struggle with actually teaching them.<\/p>\n While it is certainly possible to hire a chess coach to teach your children, this approach can get quite expensive (especially if you don’t know if your child will even enjoy playing!). For that reason, we came up with a small guide on how to actually teach kids how to play chess.<\/p>\n1. Chess Improves Mathematical Skills<\/h2>\n
![\"Students](\"https:\/\/chessily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/chess-improves-mathematical-skills.png\")
2. Playing Chess Increases Social Intelligence<\/h2>\n
3. Children that Play Chess Are More Extraverted and Energetic<\/h2>\n
4. Chess is a Fun Game<\/h2>\n
When Should Kids Start Learning and Playing Chess?<\/h1>\n
How To Teach Chess To Children<\/h1>\n
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