Playing Chess as Educational Enrichment for Kids
"According to research, Test scores improved by 17.3% for students regularly engaged in chess classes, compared with only 4.6% for children participating in other forms of enriched activities," states 4-time World Champion Susan Polgar in a recent interview.
Research shows that, when played from a young age, chess can be beneficial to a child’s learning and development. The game requires the use of high-order thinking skills, such as weighing actions and consequences, and helps players practice decision making. The Susan Polgar Foundation offers a page of information on this topic.
If your child is interested in learning to play chess or is in need of new people to play with, there are opportunities to do so locally! The Forbes Library in Northampton offers drop-in chess on Saturdays from 2-4pm, the Jones Library in Amherst has a monthly chess club for anyone over the age of 7, and the East Longmeadow library as a chess club Wednesdays 4-5pm.
Help your kids develop their analytical skills and get them involved in a game they can enjoy for life!
Do you know of a local chess club or casual meet-up? Share it below. Want to organize a casual chess club at your local library? Send us an email and we’ll help you get started or visit the Western Massachusetts Chess Association.
[Photo credit: (ccl) Joe Philipson]
