Is My Child Too Young for Chess?
by Laura Sherman and Bill KilpatrickAuthors of Chess Is Child's Play -- Teaching Techniques That Work
It may surprise you to know that most children can pick up the basics of chess by the time they are five or six years old. And some children can learn how the different pieces move soon after they learn to speak!
If you’re wondering if your child is ready to learn to play chess, the key question is, does your child have any interest?
If your answer is no, then it isn’t the right time. At least, not right at this moment. You don’t want to push your child to learn against their will. The results won’t be pretty.
However, tomorrow is a new day and it might just be the perfect time!
If your child is interested in learning, there’s no harm in trying to teach them. It doesn’t matter how young they are, you can teach them some aspects of the game, as long as you do so in a fun, light, easy, step-by-step manner.
By the time most children reach the age of four, they can learn to move the six different chess pieces. They may forget now and then, but with gentle reminders they will gradually get the hang of it.
Most children under the age of five won’t grasp the complicated concept of checkmate, but they might be able to start understanding some very key principles, like how to take the other player’s pieces and how to protect their own.
If they can gain experience with these skills, they will be better equipped to understand the more complex nuances of the game as they progress with the lessons.
Plus, they’ll enjoy moving the pieces around the board like the big kids do! Children can learn a great deal by example, so it really helps if their older brothers and sisters enjoy chess.
As with anything in life, chess takes practice. It’s a bit like learning a language. You need to use it regularly to remember how it all works. And before you know it, you’re fluent!
So, when you’re trying to figure out if your child is ready to enter this fascinating world of chess, don’t worry. Give it a try, keep it fun and they’ll probably surprise you with how fast he or she picks it up!