6 Untold Benefits of Playing Chess as a Kid
Never played the game of chess? Well, if you have not, you have no idea what you are missing. Played by men, women, peasants, and royalty alike, chess has been played since time immemorial. One of its numerous names is the Game of Kings. The game of chess is not just any game; many kings have played it to plan and win battles and wars. This alone is a testament to its strategy characteristics.
Playing chess requires a sound mind similar to what is needed for live line cricket, high concentration, critical thinking, and a tad of patience. Playing chess can help your children develop these skills early, which is always a good thing. Read on to learn about the other benefits that can accrue to your child when they play chess early.
Some Benefits of Chess for Your Children
Other than the skills mentioned above, there are many other benefits that your child can accrue from playing the ancient, beneficial game of chess. Here are six of these benefits:
● Helps them learn how to manage their time
Kids do not understand what time management is, but by making them play chess, they could. Playing chess takes time, but teaching your child how to manage their time between chess and other activities can help them develop a good habit early in life. Many adults lack this skill after all.
● Allows for cognitive development
Something chess does to players is that it engenders mental workouts. This helps build and increase cognitive skills. How does chess do this for your children, you ask?
Well, when your child plays chess, they have to think several steps ahead, ensure that the opponent is kept at bay, and also try to thwart the opponent’s strategies. This is surely a lot of work, and that is exactly how chess helps. By continuously going through these mental processes, children begin to anticipate and plan their steps better, and their problem-solving skills improve.
When they play chess, they have to keep track of their previous moves, be aware of every piece’s position on the board at all times, and plot their next moves with precision. Going through these mental motions is a big plus, and its effect usually translates to their academics.
● Develops patience
If there is one thing that chess teaches, it is patience. In playing chess, children learn how to think in the long term, follow through with their strategies, and learn from the consequences of their actions. One wrong move could spell the end of the game, and a well-thought (and executed) move could bring success. Hence, children learn to see ahead and change strategies if need be.
Also, in playing chess, children learn to experience disappointments and take them in stride. They learn quickly that mistakes are simply a way to get better, and success is a long, arduous, but possible journey. This builds determination and resilience in them and helps them handle other aspects of life that require these qualities. A kid who learns the ability to overcome challenges early in. life will have a good approach to the ups and downs that are sure to confront them.
● Helps children develop hobbies
As parents, we now know better when it comes to the argument of school versus hobbies. The world is changing, and perspectives are changing as regards what counts as a career. We all see people go on to have careers in non-school backgrounds. Allowing your children to play chess helps them to have a wider perspective beyond the school environment.
However, this is not to distract them from their formal schooling environment. Rather, it is to help them develop hobbies and give them a balanced view of the world and their future. Who knows, your child could be the next chess grandmaster.
● Develops their social skills
Chess is not played in isolation; rather, it “needs two to tango.” Chess engenders the development of social skills in children, which, if not developed properly, can cause relationship issues later in life. In relating with other players and being part of a community of chess players and enthusiasts, children learn how to relate with others in groups and develop much-needed social skills as a result.
Also, children learn sportsmanship when they compete in chess. They learn to show opponents respect and demand for it when needed. They learn to accept defeat with grace and learn more about how the world works. Knowing what sportsmanship is, is key, and playing chess can help in that regard.
● Improves their mental wellness
Apart from being a way to grow and exercise the mind, chess can also be a way to help kids relax mentally, especially in high-stress environments. School can sometimes be stressful, and one good way to eliminate all that stress is a low-stakes chess game. Everyone needs to escape from everyday stressors, and chess is a good way to do that.
For kids who struggle to concentrate on just about anything, chess can be a way out. Chess helps clear minds and provides a sense of peace.
The Bottom Line
Chess is not just a game; it is an interest that offers a lot of benefits to humans and even more to children. Everyone wants to see their children perform excellently, and chess is a good way to start them on the right path. Do not look far; chess is the answer to your prayers!