It is tempting when you know a lot about chess to try and teach it all to your young child, all at once.  This is the wrong approach.  What will happen is they will become "bored" with the game and "become interested in other things".

Keep your chess lessons short and sweet in the beginning, especially if you are working with a very young child.  Take it step by step and make sure they understand each concept before moving on.

Some concepts may take longer than others to master.  Each child will learn at a different pace, picking things up at their own speed.  It really doesn’t matter how long it takes for your child to learn.  If they get it and can use it, chances are they will love chess.

Start with the names of the pieces and how they move.  Plan to spend some time on this.  If you are working with a very young child (age 5 or younger), start with the Rook and Bishop and end the first lesson after they have mastered these pieces.

Enjoy this time with your child.  The bonding experience will be memorable!

Chess teaches patience.  There is no doubt about it.  When you play chess you must invest yourself into the game, keep your attention on the plan, the goal.  If you play well for two hours and then let your mind wander, make a poor move, you will probably lose.  Most chess players learn that lesson early.

Children have a strong desire to win.  They really don’t like to lose.

Through chess children learn to keep their focus on their goals, becoming more patient in life.  This opens new worlds for them, new interests, new ways to win in many areas.

My husband and I have seen a number of children learn patience over the chess board.  One boy’s mother excitedly pulled me aside one day and shared with me that her son played his father for over an hour after a few lessons with us.  Before that time he would make careless moves and lose interest quickly in the game.  She and her husband were amazed that their seven-year-old son could sit and play well for so long.

Another young boy, about the same age, came to us very fidgety.  He would have trouble sitting still for five minutes, let alone playing an entire game of chess.  However, after a few months, he played consistently well and for an hour or more.  I was so proud when he played in our tournaments!

Parents often ask me when you can start teaching children to play chess.  There is no set answer.  Lessons will be very different at different ages.  Before a child can talk, they can still enjoy the bonding experience of playing with the pieces on the board.  You may be able to introduce them to the rook and how it moves and play little games of having them copy your movements, something children love to do.  I like to cheer them when they get it right.

When they start speaking you can teach them the names of the pieces and play little mini games with them, starting with the rook and the bishop (two easy pieces to learn).  Keep up with the game of copying your movements.

Explaining the more complicated concepts of check and checkmate usually becomes easier at age four, but sometimes a two or three year old can understand.  The important thing is not to overload them with information, but keep it fun and light.

Feel free to write me any time for tips and help!

Dan and I ended off with our chess classes mid December with our five schools (over 50 students) with promises of starting anew in Jan.  You always know you’re on the right track when your students say, "Aw, you mean there’s no chess class next week?  When are you coming back??"

We will be starting up with some classes the first day back at school.  Others will wait a week.  We hope to offer free chess events, introducing new students to the wonders of chess.

Our pilot of the ecourse has been amazingly successful.  One student just turned three and loves our mini-games and has mastered the knight moves already.  She tells her father that she loves chess and enjoys playing with him.

Soon I will be ready to compile my notes into a book.  There is a real need for a book on teaching chess to young children, one that also makes sure to explain the game to the parent as well.  Chess really isn’t intimidating – it simply isn’t always explained in an easy (and fun) way to learn.  I am enjoying breaking down the basics into bite sized pieces for parents and children.