By Richard Lawton. Year 5-6 teacher and Across School Leader
Magnus* is a delightful ten-year-old boy who joined my class this year. He is kind, empathetic, full of energy, impulsive, and a little hyperactive. Although undiagnosed, he displays all the classic traits of a kid with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). He finds reading, writing and maths a challenge, and he had never played chess before.
As part of my maths programme, I’ve always made sure to teach my class the basics of chess, how the pieces move, what they’re worth, and the kind of thinking that goes into a game. Activities like The Knight’s Tour and chess puzzles and activities are a big hit, and it’s no wonder as kids can pick them up easily and get hooked pretty quickly. Chess ties in so nicely with our maths curriculum, from Number Knowledge, Algebra and Geometry to Problem Solving and Logical Thinking. It also aligns well with all of the key competencies, especially Thinking and Managing Self.
Magnus took to these lessons like a duck to water, and I noticed that amazingly he could sit still and focus for more than a minute! I encouraged him to join our school chess club, and he did. Every Tuesday lunchtime, there he was, playing chess. He signed up to play online (check out chess.com, or if you’ve got younger kids, chesskid.com) and played every chance he could.
Watching Magnus get more into the game was fantastic. The more he played, the longer the games lasted, and the better his attention span became. My totally unqualified theory - his supercharged mind was so busy processing all the possible moves, it kept him focused and, dare I say it, almost calm. This got me curious, so I did a bit of digging.
I found an article by Dr. Nour El Daoua et al. (2014) called The Effect Of Playing Chess On The Concentration Of ADHD Students. The study looked at how chess could help improve the concentration and listening skills of kids with ADHD. Fourteen students, aged 11-13, received chess training twice a week for four months. The results? Chess helped these kids improve their focus and reduce disruptive behaviour. There was even a slight improvement in their listening skills and academic scores.
Learning to play chess can give all kids an academic boost, particularly in maths, reading, and problem-solving. In 2000, Dr. Robert Ferguson ran a study called The Effects of Chess on Reading Scores where students from various grades in Pennsylvania got chess instruction. The kids who played chess saw a significant bump in their reading performance compared to those who didn’t. A 2012 study in Spain focused on primary school students and found that those who played chess had better mathematical problem-solving skills and logical reasoning abilities. They outperformed the control group in every area. In 2017, a meta-analysis by Sala et al. looked at the impact of chess instruction on academic performance. The conclusion? Chess has a small to moderate positive effect on students' cognitive and academic skills, especially in mathematics and reading.
Incorporating chess into maths lessons is more than just a fun idea, it’s a smart move. Magnus’s transformation as he dove into the world of chess shows how this ancient game can capture and challenge young minds. His journey from struggling with focus to becoming an enthusiastic chess player highlights how this simple game can lead to personal and academic growth.
The benefits of chess go way beyond the board. It fosters many skills which fit perfectly with the NZ Maths Curriculum. And the research backs it up. Chess is a valuable tool in a child’s academic toolkit.
Magnus has had gradual improvement in maths this year. The biggest improvement for him is in self esteem and focus. Two other children in the class (without additional needs) were also in his chess team, and have made massive progress in maths this year. A large group who learned chess (but didn't go on to learn chess at the next level) have also made accelerated progress in maths this year. It's never easy to ascertain how much impact learning chess has helped these children progress academically, however based on the research and anecdotal evidence, I'm certain that it has been an important factor in their progress this year.
So, why not give chess a shot with your tamariki? Plan some chess lessons in your maths classes. Throw in some chess puzzles and let the kids play online as part of your daily routine. Dust off that old chess set in the cupboard, and set it up in the corner of your classroom. You will help kids of all abilities improve their focus, logic, and self-management. From there start a chess club at your school, and enter local competitions. You may just spark a lifelong passion!
This week, Magnus competed in a local Inter-School Teams Chess Competition and walked away with a gold medal for winning his category, with five wins and a tie. You can imagine the grin on his face.
Sometimes all it takes is something new to help a kid like Magnus find his groove. Who would have thought that his huge energy could be harnessed by a bunch of tiny pieces on a board?!
*not his real name
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