My three children engage in various activities throughout the day. My oldest, whom I taught chess at age six, is the most interested in the game.
However, my two sons have separate interests. They also enjoy chess, but they are extremely active and prefer to play outside. In addition to chess, there are a variety of enjoyable activities for children, which you can read about in this article in which I am featured and in which I explain what age kids should start learning chess.
However, if you are a parent interested in learning why chess is a good activity for children, this blog post is for you.
1. Chess is fun for kids
Chess is obviously enjoyable for both children and adults…
Well, because nobody is ever injured while playing chess.
As said before, I have three very active children, and I would be pleased to see them even for a couple of hours doing nothing but exercising their minds. lol!
I do not mean to imply that they are not exercising their brains while playing outdoors, but this is a different game that enhances their mental skills.
If your child is active like my kids and very competitive, then chess is an excellent outlet for active kids.
Chess can provide an outlet for children's competitive nature because it is a game that is both physically and mentally challenging. It is also a game that can be played over a long period of time, which allows for plenty of opportunities for improvement.
Here are some tips for you to make chess fun for kids:
- Have them set up a game board and have them pick their favorite pieces to start with.
- Let your child choose a chess piece to play and explain the rules of the game to them.
- Let your child try out different strategies during their game and see what works best for them.
In addition, chess can be a fun way for kids to spend time together and parents too!
2. Chess can be educational
Well, not exactly the school-type educational thing…
Chess can supplement children's educational skills and things they need in school, such as concentration and paying attention to teachers.
Introducing your children to chess is a good idea if they have trouble paying attention to school activities.
This is because chess teaches not only tactical and strategic thinking. It also teaches them how to stay focused, which is an essential skill for children.
Here are some tips for you to improve your kids focus with chess:
- Increase focus and concentration by practicing chess regularly.
- Teach children the importance of strategy and how to use it to their advantage.
- Help children learn how to control their emotions and stay calm under pressure.
- Help children learn how to problem solve and think outside the box.
3. Chess can be a lifetime hobby
I've played chess since I was a kid. I've stopped and re-learned chess. That's what I'm doing now on this website. I was able to re-learn chess by using online platforms like Chess.com.
Why is chess a lifetime hobby? Because this strategy game can be passed down from one generation to the next. It will continue forever so long as each generation teaches the next effectively.
Here are some tips on how you can passed on this great game to your kids:
- Get a good chess set that kids will enjoy and practice regularly.
- Attend chess tournaments with your kids.
- Learn about different fun chess strategies and teach it to them.
- Connect with like-minded chess players online to share tips and tricks.
4. Chess is mentally challenging in a good way
Now that we are aware that chess can be educational, we can see that it can also be extremely mentally challenging, as it is a strategic board game that requires thought and planning.
Sometimes you need to exert a great deal of mental effort to come up with the best moves, and sometimes, despite exerting such mental effort, you will still fail to recognize blunders or mistakes.
I've experienced playing for hours, and it's mentally exhausting, but extremely satisfying, because you can play at your best.
You've given the game your all, and you must learn to accept results, win or lose.
If kids can play at this level it's going to improve their mental agility.
Here are some tips on how to improve kids mental agility with chess:
- Teach chess in a fun and engaging way.
- Reward kids for playing chess in a constructive way.
- Encourage kids to use their imagination while playing chess.
- Help kids practice strategic thinking by giving challenging puzzle games.
5. Chess is a social game (not just for introverts)
Some individuals think indoor games as antisocial, whereas chess is a social activity.
I've met a large number of people who play chess, and the majority of them are extremely intelligent and love to share stories, including personal ones related to learning and playing chess.
So, yes, chess is a social activity, which makes it beneficial for children. This is because it teaches them cooperation and communication skills.
In addition, it teaches them how to think on their feet, which is essential for children.
Here are some tips you can do to help kids learn chess to improve their social activities:
- Make sure to let kids know that it is okay to make mistakes.
- Make sure to set up a game plan and stick to it.
- Encourage kids to ask questions and talk to their opponents.
- Be patient and allow kids time to learn the game.
Wrapping Up
Chess is a great activity for kids to learn because it is a game that can be played in a variety of ways.
Some children like to take their time thinking about each move, while other children prefer to blitz chess and make quick decisions.
There are also different chess games for different ages, so there is something for everyone.
If you teach your children chess, they will develop critical thinking skills as they think about how best to play the game and strategize.
And if you ask me where to play chess online – I only use one platform just to make it easy to lean and play at the same time, I use Chess.com for every chess related stuffs actually! 🙂
If you want more resources do check out ChessDelights chess resources.
