Problem Solving For Kids

Problem solving is an essential skill as young people grow. Promoting it the responsibility of parents, teachers, and really everyone who has influence with kids and teens.

We would like young people today to be able to respond to problematic situations, conflicts, or simply academic problems in a positive manner. Like most skill sets this requires time and training.

One helpful way I have found to promote great problem solving skills is through games. Not card games like war, go fish, or Uno. I am referring to strategy games such as a game of Chess. Chess is perhaps the perfect game for improving problem solving ability. There are many other games and activities that help develop problem solving skills.

How Does Chess Help?

Chess is a strategy game that presents both players with conflicts, infinite variables to process, and even pressure (time) to name just a few issues. In a chess game the players need to process information (a critical factor in problem solving). Often this requires the development of mathematical skills since players need to think ahead several moves, and several branches, creating (without knowing it) complex calculations in their minds. Players need to make choices all of the time that have a direct result or consequence. This teaches responsibility. A lazy approach won't do!

Start Chess For Kids and Young People

Access a local club or chess organization in your area. Chess is growing in schools and communities. There is a growing body of educational research that suggests remarkable results for kids who take part in organized chess study. Standardized scores are higher and improvement in math, reading (tracking), and logical analysis are areas of significant growth for young people who undergo formal chess training.

I have taught chess to kids and young adults for years and believe that it can also have some influence on behavior for some difficult to manage kids. I have seen it. Chess provides an arena for war, without doing harm. For aggressive people, it is perfect. It's amazing to watch kids with explosive disorders at the my work actually enjoy a tense chess game, even if they lose.

Here are some great chess links:

www.susanpolgar.blogspot.com
www.squirrelchess.com
www.chessbase.com

Also you can have a look at my new blog on chess: HERE