Special thanks to Dr. Alexey Root of UTD for bringing these links to us
Daa Mahowald is one of our presenters at the Texas Chess Association Chess in Education workshop coming up on March 17th. The link for workshop information is: www.swchess.com/sce/tourney/tsc2007/cied.htm
Chess is brain food for the toddler set
If you ask your average three year old, most would prefer trucks or dolls to a bishop or rook. But each Tuesday, a group of youngsters and their moms meet in the community room at New Hope Ice Arena, to learn the ins and outs of the game of chess.
“I love playing it, I love teaching it, and the best part about it is watching the light bulb turn on in the kids,” gushed Daa Mahowald, one of the Twin Cities most recognized chess coaches. “I just love it when they get a concept.”
Mahowald is among a growing group of chess advocates and educators, who believe that the game can spur brain development and improve academic performance in children as young as three.”
The kids who take up chess at a young age, first grade, three years old, will be able to handle 8th or 9th grade geometry where the kids who don’t do chess will be struggling, doing brute force, memorization, not having the understanding, which is what geometry is all about.”
A number of national studies have also drawn a correlation between playing chess, and increased test scores.
Here is the full article.
What??? Only geometry in 8th or 9th grade? Let’s aim higher than that. I have three current chess students who take/took Calculus in 7th or 8th grade. It is pretty standard among all my chess students to take algebra by 8th grade.
The one question that the article fails to address: Are the kids who do well at chess simply better prepared to do logical activities, including math, music and chess? Was this ability born or was do chess lessons stimulate math and music skill?
Susan,
Can you please recommend a book on how to teach your toddler chess. My daughter is two years old and is currently learning the names of the pieces. I would like her to learn chess at a young age, but do not want to force it or scare her by not making it fun.
Thanks,
James
Hi Susan,
I also have a two year old girl that I would like to teach chess to.
I looked at the promo video. Is this how you learned from your dad? Is this how you were thought when you were little girls.
I know you started at 4 not 2.
Cheers.
Zoltan.
Hi Susan,
I also have a two year old girl that I would like to teach chess to.
I looked at the promo video. Is this how you learned from your dad? Is this how you were thought when you were little girls.
I know you started at 4 not 2.
Cheers.
Zoltan.
IF I am posting this again is because I did not receive a confirmation.
Hi Susan,
I also have a two year old girl that I would like to teach chess to.
I looked at the promo video. Is this how you learned from your dad? Is this how you were thought when you were little girls.
I know you started at 4 not 2.
Cheers.
Zoltan.