Learn the benefits of playing chess from a young age

Time passes, children become adults, but chess does not age or go out of fashion. Some say that the origins of this classic thousand-year-old board game are in India, and others say it came from China, but what they do agree on is that the model we know today derives from a very similar board game that was played in Persia as early as the 15th century. As most know from world-renowned players like Kasparov or Karpov, chess is considered a competitive sport, but it benefits everyone who plays it, regardless of their level. It is known that it enhances memory, logic, concentration and to some extent creativity and imagination , as we will see later . Scientific studies support play as a booster of higher brain functions related to understanding: perception, attention, memory, language, conscious thought, directed actions, feelings, and intelligence. Russian psychologist Levy Vygotsky , author of theories of learning development and a pioneer of neuropsychology, believed that play is a driver of children's mental development . Through play, children focus their attention, generate memories, and enhance their memory effortlessly and in a conscious and fun way. Most importantly, play lays the foundation for learning and helps children better understand their surroundings. Vygotsky makes a clear distinction between two very important developmental stages: the first, between the ages of 2 and 3, and the next, from 3 to 6. While the first stage involves learning the real and symbolic functions of objects, the second involves constructing and representing the adult world through imitation and the application of imagination. In this way, he defined a specific type of play that would help develop not only cognitive abilities, but also affective and communicative ones: imaginative play . In this type of play, an imaginary situation is created, roles are assumed and acted out, and a set of rules predetermined by those roles is followed. In this way, roles are adopted and rules are followed that go beyond the children's ages and capabilities, helping them develop self-control , imagination , internalization of their thinking , and an understanding of symbols and emotions . Chess is a game that brings together all these characteristics and can awaken skills that have not been developed by traditional educational means : in addition to promoting logical thinking, it instills self-confidence and self-esteem (especially when you win) and improves communication and comprehension skills and the recognition of patterns and rules . But that's not all: chess also teaches us values ​​such as effort , concentration , objectivity , and commitment . Organizing chess competitions in schools also helps promote socialization , as has been demonstrated in some New York schools, where transfer students are encouraged to participate in tournaments, as it helps them adapt more easily. At Cucutoys we have several models of chess for children of all ages, whether they are just starting to play this interesting board game, or if they already know the rules, play regularly at home or at school and need a higher quality chess set .