Parenting by Marilyn Heins : Playing chess may well help child diagnosed with ADHD
Tucson, Arizona Published: 07.22.2007
QI recently was introduced to our neighbor’s 8-year-old grandson, who has been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The child has been extensively evaluated by medical practitioners, pediatricians and psychologists, and he has been on medication for five weeks.
I’m still reading up on this matter, and I saw some of your articles. However, before I was aware of his diagnosis, I was told that he had a problem sitting still and concentrating for any length of time. I immediately suggested that he be exposed to the game of chess, because my experience is that playing this game improves concentration and thought processes, and builds self-esteem. Some time ago, I also read a doctoral thesis from South Africa that dealt with chess as a tool to help children with learning difficulties.
I’ve been teaching this boy to play chess for about two weeks, and he’s able to sit still for up to two hours while playing. I’m pleasantly surprised by his grasp of the game and his thought processes. Do you have any views on teaching chess to children with ADHD?
I’d also like to know whether one can overstimulate a child with playing chess, and if so, what’s the maximum time this child ought to be playing the game?
AThe relationship between chess and acquiring math, reading and critical-thinking skills is fairly strong. One study showed critical-thinking skills improved by 17 percent in students taking chess classes, compared with 5 percent for other classes. Chess also teaches patience and courtesy while waiting for your opponent to make a move.
I think one reason playing chess can enhance learning is that the child realizes chess, unlike other games dependent mostly on chance, demands skill and a plan to win. This makes winning such a game so much fun that kids may want to translate skills and planning to other areas, such as schoolwork.
Here is the full article.
Excellent stuff.
ADHD oftens means ‘totally bored’. So providing something interesting must help.
Great!
They say that marijuana helps all ’em homeless schizoes down at the parks, too (guess that if I’m to believe that argument, I might as well read another McLaden interview in Playboy about how the poppy trade is helping to rebuild Emirika).
Wisdom, not repetitive habit, cures the intellectually challenged.
Put all ’em helmeteers in university math class to see which ones pass for keepers, & toss the rest of ’em outta the government assistance programs that the rest of us pay money for.
If a child can not do “regular” math then try the workbooks published by Ho math and Chess where math and chess are truly integrated in their math curriculum.
Details visit http://www.mathandchess.com.
Well written and definitely on target. I consider myself to be a pretty decent chess player and also ADHD. I learned chess in 3rd grade and utilize the ADHD gift of hyperfocusing when playing. Thank you for sharing this!
I’ve been coaching chess since 2007 and had students that exhibited ADHD. I have noticed a change in their behavior overtime. Teaching chess to ADHD takes a lot of patience but definitely worth it in the long run. These students are ideal for blitz and Bughouse tournaments. They can compete successfully in G30/G90 but they tend to struggle in G120. They will establish partial control at the end of middle school or in the first year in high school. You can start expecting great things from them, academically and as an athlete, when they are juniors.