Ever since the pandemic started in 2020, it has been observed that the ones affected the most are the children. With very less or no physical activity at home, children have found their own way to get entertained. It's none other than the videogames or games on the phone. Many parents have expressed their worries and concern on the same. With school being online, children spend around 6 to 8 hours in front of the screen for the online sessions. The teachers send notes on WhatsApp. Again, the children are glued to the screen for the same. They definitely need a break. But they have started giving themselves a break by playing games on the phone or TV. This break has led to an addiction in the negative way.

Parents could take up full responsibility in guiding children to the right path. If they need a break, then let’s give them the right break. A break in which there is entertainment as well as a lot of learning involved. A break which will help them in their present and future. The Chess break!!

Yes. The Chess Break! Chess is not just a game. It teaches children very important skills of life.

Let us understand, how?

Keeping Calm

Keeping calm is the most important element to achieve success. It is very difficult to attain patience. But this important like skill is taught by the game of chess. Regularly playing chess, makes a child realize, how important it is to calmly look at the entire board, and observe the positioning of all pieces. This helps in analyzing and thinking better moves than the opponent. Hence Chess teaches children to be patient in all trials and troubles of life.

Having a Positive Approach

The current pandemic has brought a lot of disturbance in the minds of the children. With so many things happening in the surroundings, it is very difficult to have a positive approach to life. The game of chess helps children with a healthy distraction. They engage themselves in a healthy game. Even if they lose, they learn from their mistakes and come well prepared with a better strategy for the next game. This positive approach is very important and a lifesaving skill for many children and youth, who cannot handle failure.

Enhancing Math and Reading Skills

Subjects taught in school are not just limited to school. Few of them are seen in many things which we do or use in our day-to-day life. The challenges faced by a child during a chess game, requires focus on problem solving and a lot of thinking. The process required for this helps improve the child’s math skills. Along with it, chess also requires cognitive processes which include analysis, decoding and thinking. These processes help children to improve their math and reading skills both. Children playing chess show better skills in school, as compared to children who do not play chess.

Planning the Future

Creativity, logic and strategy are required to play the game of chess. Every second is important in the game. In the game of chess, children learn about creativity, logic and strategy. Logic and strategy help them to think of few moves in advance. This way they will be prepared for the next move of their opponent. Children learn to look beyond the next move and of course the immediate future of the game. In this way, they learn to plan their future.

It is said- ‘Exercise is not only for the body, but for the mind too’. The game of chess is one of the best exercises for the minds of children. It has fun, learning, competition and much more. Life is a battle ground. Every decision counts. Chess is the best game to help children improvise on their thought process and decisions.

If you would like to see your children benefit from playing chess, enroll them to online chess classes at Imperial Chess World.