Unlocking pupils’ talents using chess
Chess has the abilty to unlock talent in children improving maths and science understanding
THROUGH playing a simple game of chess, the maths, science and life skills comprehension of children, from as young as five-years-old, are dramatically improved.
This is according to the uniquely South African Moves for Life initiative.
Recognising that focusing on high school education is not enough, Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) Managing Director Niels Kristensen said they need to start assisting schools at the foundation phase of child education.
Kristensen was speaking at the handover of school uniforms to 440 school pupils from the Nongoma and Mahlabathini areas of northern KZN, a project initiated in 2011 in a partnership between ZAC and Ukhozi FM.
‘We believe in nurturing the body and mind of school children and, as such, we have started assisting pupils at five schools in our host areas of Zungu.
However, we recognise that this is not enough and that we need to start at the foundation phase of a child’s education and so we partnered with Moves for Life to bring Mini Chess to 13 primary schools in the area.’
The Moves for Life kits provide the implementation of chess as an educational intervention where essential aspects of the game are creatively linked with many fundamental maths, science and life skill concepts that make learning fun and exciting for the child.
Handing over the chess kits, Mickey Scheepers of Moves for Life said that every child in the country has the capacity of becoming a world class citizen, they just need to use the talents with which they are born.
‘We looked at how we can assist with the education of maths and science and have taken the game of chess to teach simple and basic things that everyone should know. Around the world, studies have shown that children who play chess are better achievers – not necessarily only clever children – as chess unlocks a child’s talent in the areas of maths and science.’ Scheepers said they are pleased to add ZAC to their list of companies that sponsor and support the education of children around the country.
