Chess Inculcates Discipline and Focus In Children
Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2010
by Tiger Kimber
Stumblerz
In this modern age, bringing up children and nurturing them to become successful citizens and persons in life is a big challenge for many parents. They are not at fault in any way. One can say that, in most cases, the parents are more or less helpless. What is the cause for this situation? Can we say it is the result of the technological advancement? We cannot come to that drastic conclusion and throw blame on the technological advancement. It might be due to our own inability to stay focused and disciplined in our work and also guiding our children to inculcate the habit of staying focused and disciplined.
The advancement in the technology in the form of Internet where latest and the best of information can be gathered at the click of the mouse, digital music, television, hanging out and spending time in the midst of friends in pubs or other places, or engaging in many activities that end in just killing time, are the major impediments that work against focus and discipline for the children and the youth. One more thing that is commonly noticed among the children is the impatience. Instant gratification of the sensual pleasures exploiting the technological advancements is becoming the order of the day among many children and the youth. It is but natural that the parents find it tough to bring up the children and cultivate the good habits of focus and discipline in them.
However, hopes are not lost for the poor parent to inculcate the habit of focus and discipline in their children. Encouraging them to learn and gain expertise in the game of chess is one of the ways available to the parent.
What is there in the game of chess that can do wonders to a child especially in the case of focus and discipline?
Chess is one such game that teaches many invaluable traits to a person that can transform the quality of his life. It is for this reason only the game of chess is still hailed as the King of Games and is also popular, being in this universe for more than 1500 years. Historical records reveal that the game was played since the 6th century. We are now in the 21st century.
Chess is one game in which the result either a win or a loss depends only and only on the player. Basically the ideal or fair result in the game of chess can only be a draw because at the start of the game, both players have equal number of pieces, albeit in different colors for the sake of differentiation, with equal powers and capabilities. The result other than a draw, either win or loss, can happen only and only when the other player makes a mistake, and you, having spotted the mistake, exploit the mistake to your advantage, punish him, and then win over him. In other words, as long as you do not make a mistake in the board, you are guaranteed of not losing the game and closer to the draw. How to keep yourself away from making mistakes? Simple, you should plan your moves, think deeply before making the moves, plan your strategy, take decisions and execute them. For this thing to happen, you should exercise patience, as chess is a turn-based game. If you want to win the game, then you should look for the opportunities or mistakes from the opponent. You need to be patient, stay focused, plan your strategy, and take decisions. You, as a chess player, need to do this not just as a one-off thing, but throughout the game, or at the end of every move.
Without your awareness, you cultivate the habit of staying focused, patient, and disciplined across the chess board with the goal of winning over the opponent. This, in turn, will inculcate in you the habit of discipline and focus.
The parent, having understood these merits of playing chess, can encourage the children to learn the game and gain expertise. It is a very easy game for learning and is real fun for children. As a corollary, playing chess will result in children performing better in their academic career.
Teaching the game and encouraging the children to play chess cannot be easier now than before. Online chess is the answer where Internet can be used effectively for teaching and encouraging the children to play the game and challenge the computer or another friend separated by time and distance.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Thanks for reminding us of the power of Chess. Your sentenc structure and syntax is difficult a lot of times. Write a topic paragraph to start the essay.
Tiger,Thanks for the article! I'm fortunate that my kids are in a chess club at school, and they are fortunate to have a Grand Master to teach them.
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