The Benefits Of Chess For Kids

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The Benefits of Chess for Kids
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The ancient game of chess is finding a new
generation of fans in kids as young as five, and
intent little players can be found in the
classroom, in after-school programs and at summer
day camp picnic tables.
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The motto of the U.S. Chess Federation is Chess
Makes You Smart and a growing body of evidence
is showing that the game improves youngsters
problem solving skills as well as writing and
math test scores.
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The only luck in chess is executing a clever
strategy yourself or having your opponent make a
bad move, so hard work and good if/then
thinking is critical.
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Even kids in day camp will settle down in the
shade on a hot day for a fine battle on the chess
board.
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THE PERFECT AGE
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Although kids as young as kindergarten can tackle
chess, second and third grades are considered
ideal for learning how to weigh options, figure
out quadrants and coordinates and foresee the
series of consequences that make up the game of
chess.
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At this age critical thinking skills are
advancing rapidly. Playing chess and being
smart are considered connected, a big lure for
elementary school students.
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HISTORY OF THE GAME
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Chess was invented more than 1500 years ago in
India, possibly as a way to teach the children of
the royal family to better understand battlefield
strategies and become higher level thinkers.
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The game we play today, however, is rooted in the
middle ages, peopled by romantic figures like
kings, queens and bishops.
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Since that time, chess has spread around the
world, outliving nearly every other game and
receiving countless endorsements and accolades
from educators.
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A universal game with worldwide rule consistency,
chess crosses all socio-economic, religious and
language barriers to bond diverse people in a
game of limitless skill and strategy.
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Increases Concentration and Memory
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In order to play chess well, you have to focus
intensely on the objective of capturing your
opponents king, visualizing the moves of various
pieces, the board itself and any potential
countermoves.
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Spatial reasoning, attention span and visual
memory all play into this timeless game of
strategy, and kids who play vastly improve in
these areas by memorizing classic moves and
successful maneuvers from previous games.
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Boosts Reading and Math Skills
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Kids who play chess tend to score higher on
standardized reading and math tests.
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The game itself involves intense problem solving
and memorization of complex moves, so its not
surprising that the game boosts math skills.
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It also nurtures the same skill set as reading
decoding, comprehension, thinking and analysis.
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Improves Critical Thinking and Creativity
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The game of chess involves a lot of if-then
thinking as players visualize possible moves and
associated countermoves.
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Each player needs to figure out not only what
moves they want to make, but what their opponents
may do in response, utilizing lots of imagination
and creativity.
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Originality grows as kids learn to visualize a
long series of moves, imagining all possible
counterattacks.
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Social Benefits
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One of the great benefits of chess is that it can
bring together people of all ages, races and
genders. From kindergartners to octogenarians,
chess helps build friendships among people who
may not have otherwise become acquainted.
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Builds Patience and Self-Restraint
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A game of chess is a lesson in caution, patience
and eternal hope even in the face of overwhelming
odds. Hasty moves or following your first impulse
are poor strategies, and the cautious, thoughtful
player has a better chance of success.
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Much like the game of life, chess teaches us that
no matter how bad things seem, theres hope right
up to the end. As Yogi Berra said, It aint over
til its over. Maybe he enjoyed the occasional
game of chess!
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Encourages Hard Work
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To win at chess, you have to think hard, work
hard, focus, practice and plan strategies, all
activities that reward hard work.
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The harder you work at the game, learning classic
moves, memorizing maneuvers that worked in
previous games, keeping watch over the whole
chess board and planning ahead, the more likely
you are to say check mate!
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Let your kids enjoy the experience of summer day
camp at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.
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Experienced staff will keep your child both safe
and busy with arts and crafts, games, water
sports, gymnastics and more.
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Visit the site at www.maplewoodyearround.com
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150 Foundry St. (Route 106) PO Box 88
(Mailing) South Easton, MA 02375 Email
info_at_maplewoodyearround.com Telephone (508)
238-2387 FAX [phone]