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While for
some people chess stays just as an entertainment and amusement, many educators see
it as a ‘booster’ of children’s cognitive abilities, academic performance, and
social skills. Guided by these considerations, some schools in Armenia, Venezuela
and some other countries introduce chess as a mandatory subject. Moreover,
chess educators argue that playing chess is beneficial not only for gifted but
also for disabled and slower-learning children.
Chess was
invented in India around two millennia ago as a game for royal offspring to
become better thinkers and sagacious rulers. Now it is still associated with
fostering cognitive abilities in children. Many chess players claim that
playing chess enhances critical and analytical thinking, sharpens memory and
concentration. And these are not just simple words. There is a plethora of
research that underpins the position of chess players. To illustrate, a study
conducted by Ferguson (1983) revealed that “the ability to use critical thinking
(e.g. criteria to drive decision making and evaluate alternatives in testing)
improved scores by 17.3% for students regularly engaged in chess classes,
compared with only 4.56% for children participating in other forms of enriched
activities" (p. 3). Armenia is also positive about having chess a compulsory
subject at schools as they [school principals] explain it teaches independent thinking. The principal of one Armenian school says that “the game makes
you more accustomed to making serious decisions in difficult situations” (Polgar,
2013).
Improvement in academic performance is more evidence of the positive influence of playing
chess at schools. The experiment in one school in California showed that the academic
performance of 55% students rocketed after having twenty day-long sessions of chess
instruction (Kasparov, 2000). In addition, the game can increase students’ overall
IQ scores. For instance, most of 4000 Venezuelan second grade schoolchildren
(including all socio-economic groups) demonstrated a remarkable growth in their
IQ scores after studying chess for 4,5 months (Ferguson, 1995). Deeply impressed, the Venezuelan government introduced chess as an obligatory
subject in all schools.
Interestingly,
although chess is not usually associated with lively conversations and discussions,
it can boost youngsters’ social skills. A number of school heads point out that
not only the mental skills of children soared, their communication skills became
better: “incidents of suspension and
outside altercations have decreased by at least 60% since these children became
interested in chess'' (Kasparov, 2000, p. 7), “it also helps kids learn how to
be better friends, they analyze the game and talk it over afterwards” (Kasparov,
2000, p. 11).
Recently
many chess educators have argued that chess is wholesome for children with
disabilities. Dauvergne (2000) in his article cites an example of a chess
teacher who taught a course for children with special needs. This teacher shares his experience: “it was
like turning on switches in their heads- you see the child looking at a
problem, breaking it down, and then putting the whole thing back together” (as
cited in Kasparov, 2000, p. 7).
By and
large, chess, along with being a sport game, now is becoming an indispensable
part of school curriculum. There are many reasons behind school principals introducing
chess in education. As research shows, first and foremost, it is an excellent accelerator
of mental abilities. Playing chess can also assist children to pull up their
learning performance as well as become more open towards other people and find
more friends. What is more, the game is good therapy for children with
special needs to practice self-control.
At the end
of this post, I would like to ask you two questions: What is your view on this
point? Would you introduce chess as an obligatory subject in Kazakhstan?
References
Ferguson, R.
(1983). Teaching the fourth ‘R’(reasoning) through chess. School Mates, 1(1), 1-8.
Ferguson,
R. (1995). Chess in education research summary. Chess in Education “A Wise Move” Conference at the Borough of Manhattan
Community College. Retrieved from: oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://files-workface.s3.amazonaws.com/d173e0841cd570450aca380e95f509c2
Kasparov, G.
(2000).The benefits of chess in education examples of research and papers on
chess and education. Chess Foundation Europe.
Polgar, S.
(2013). Chess is a mandatory school subjects
for all children over 6 in Armenia. Retrieved from: https://chessdailynews.com/chess-is-a-mandatory-school-subjects-for-all-children-over-6-in-armenia/
What an interesting blog from heading till the end, (^_^)!
ReplyDeleteI am keen on chess since my grandfather taught me. Furthermore, I am lucky one who had chess as one of the subjects at my elementary school years. Our teacher of chess was an old and wise man who always encouraged us to play even outside lesson hours. He used to say that mathematics and chess are interconnected, and if we want to have strong logic skills we need to keep an eye on these two subjects. Your blog delineates what happened to our class back then. We used to enjoy chess most rather than all other “boring” lessons. Therefore, chess hours made us united and become more friendly. Although, you have provided good data on the positive effects of chess on children’s cognitive skills, I cannot say from my own experience. Apparently, the reason is that the subject of chess was only in our elementary curriculum. I believe that if we had chess for all the secondary school years, we would have definitely benefited for 100%. It is a brilliant idea to have chess as a mandatory subject in Kazakhstan.
It is a very interesting post indeed. Introducing chess as a mandatory subject for all children in Kazakhstan is a good idea, however is acceptable only in state run schools. I have this stand point, because in rural areas it is a problematic to find even teachers for mathematics and physics and making this subject obligatory for rural places is challenging. Chess is popular among young generation of Kazakhstan and actively is being introduced by the initiatives of some principals. School 66 in Astana introduced chess classes from the second grade and nowadays the amount of chess followers and international winners among schoolchildren are growing. For example, in my son’s class there are almost 10 players who additionally attend chess classes and have third, second and first degree of rating.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic for discussion! I used to play chess at school, but, it was not as a subject in the curriculum. We played chess when we had a physical activity course. From my experience, I would say it is very useful for students mental development. Because, as you said, it has a positive impact on students mental activity. Moreover, it helps to think critically and plan strategically. For example, when you play chess you have to foresee you partner's future steps. Thus, you can plan your moves beforehand and be ready to answer back. And here is the effect of math too. I agree with Asha's instructor that chess and math are interconnected.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, it should be mandatory as a subject. If our country wants to be a developed nation, why not to include chess as mandatory in the school curriculum as Armenya and Venezuela did it?
Mariya, great topic, thank you. My view on this topic is hundred percent positive. This will develop not only mental abilities but also will develop patience and perseverance which I think important for children. My children have chess classes from the first grade and they like it, moreover they started to play chess at home and I like that they spend time playing chess but not watching TV. Unfortunately, during the class teacher physically cannot pay attention to every pupil and explain if someone do not something but children may help each other what in turn help to develop friendship environment and relations between classmates. Concerning the obligatory of chess at school, I think it is arguable issue because if it will be obligatory teachers should evaluate them. This, first of all will make pressure on pupils and secondly, how will this course be evaluated is not clear. I think pupils should have a chess class but for fun and for relaxing especially in the primary level.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the info about chess education!
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you that chess education must be taught in schools due to its positive outcomes mentioned above. I know one non-state school where chess included into curriculum as a mandatory subject, however it is taught only once in a week. Since chess may develop particular abilities,teaching chess would be more useul if it is taught several times per week. Another issue I noticed was incompetent teachers in this field. In order to increase children's interest in chess, a teacher must be able to use interesting teaching strategies as well. All in all, I am for chess education in schools.