Chess helps young players develop thinking and social skills
By Kim Underwood
JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: December 7, 2008
Christian Harris used to keep his chess trophies in his bedroom. One day, it occurred to him that they weren’t displayed to best advantage.
“He let me know that nobody could see them in there,” his father, David, said.
So his father moved them to the mantel in the living room. Now everyone who comes into the house can see them.
Christian, 9, is a fourth-grader at Mineral Springs Elementary School. He has enjoyed playing chess ever since teacher April Johnson showed him the basics.
“It helps my patience,” he said.
Plus, it’s fun.
Christian was one of six students whom Johnson brought to a Winston-Salem Scholastic Chess Association tournament yesterday in the gym at Paisley Middle School.
“Chess is really good for a child,” said Johnson, who is the enrichment specialist at Mineral Springs.
It not only helps children develop their visual-spatial thinking skills, she said, but also helps them enhance their social skills. As each of her players finished a game, she checked to make sure that he had shaken hands with his opponent.
Altogether, 52 young people from second grade through high school played. Although most were local, some came from surrounding counties and some from as far away as Charlotte. Since the association sponsored its first tournament seven years ago, more than 500 young people have played in 28 tournaments, said Keith Kolischak, the association’s president.
Here is the full story.
chess is great for kids.