If you ask your average three year old, most would prefer trucks or dolls to a bishop or rook. But each Tuesday, a group of youngsters and their moms meet in the community room at New Hope Ice Arena, to learn the ins and outs of the game of chess.
"I love playing it, I love teaching it, and the best part about it is watching the light bulb turn on in the kids," gushed Daa Mahowald, one of the Twin Cities most recognized chess coaches. "I just love it when they get a concept."
Mahowald is among a growing group of chess advocates and educators, who believe that the game can spur brain development and improve academic performance in children as young as three.
"The kids who take up chess at a young age, first grade, three years old, will be able to handle 8th or 9th grade geometry where the kids who don't do chess will be struggling, doing brute force, memorization, not having the understanding, which is what geometry is all about."
A number of national studies have also drawn a correlation between playing chess, and increased test scores.
Mahowald's Parent and Tot Chess time brings five children and their moms together each week. They learn and practice the basics in a fast, fun format, with regular breaks to help focus short attention spans. "You can learn about all the pieces... and it's fun," said four-year-old Peter Auvin, after a short game that concentrated on the pawn.
"He surprises me all the time, because he catches on to things so quickly, and makes connections, and really understands things," added Peter's mother Sarah.
(Copyright 2007 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
