Want smart children, let them play chess

Chess instructors have discovered this sport game to help children behave smarter, better focused and logical. It is also particularly good for autistic children or behavioral disorders.

On the board, everything is like a miniature war, forcing children to brainstorm many things.Photo: Getty.

When chess teacher Charles Wood entered a classroom in the city of Bradford, England, he prepared for a fight.

"I asked the children," How do you think chess? "Normally, they would say 'It's boring, for weirdos'. I told them 'No. It's a war'. describe castles, guards, and wars . " .

After only 15 minutes, Wood said he could draw students into a game where he believed it could change life or aggressive behavior into healthy competition, smart behavior and Increases the ability of confidence in children.

In the past year, the former businessman convinced 800 children in 80 schools to play chess, in a plan aimed at the least promising children.

For children with developmental disorders, chess often proves a special intelligence. Autistic children are often better than their peers in this sport, while those with behavioral problems such as decreased activity attenuated attention, thanks to chess that improves concentration.

"Chess has rules and rituals, for example, children have to wait for their turn. Chess teaches them that, and they learn to apply it to the rest of their lives," Wood said.

Research on elementary school children conducted by Aberdeen University, found chess can improve understanding and math skills and increase flexibility. Wood believes it can do more: "This is not teaching chess, it's teaching children to learn how to play. It is history, math, logic, and also how to tell stories."

The boy, 9-year-old Kieran Barrass, struggled to get out of class at Southmere when Wood started his afternoon class. "The boy is full of energy, while he lacks concentration," said Catherine, his mother.

She and her husband were stunned when Kieran said he would join the chess club. Since then, they are proud to witness Kieran winning through competitions, while significantly improving their ability to concentrate, which in turn improves schooling.

The boy who doesn't sit still can now sit for 4 hours to calculate a move, Catherine said. Kieran also happily explained why he loved chess so much: "It's really interesting and makes me smarter. Now I've always been at the top in every field."