Online Gameplay, A Homework Tool for Kids

"HOMEWORK”,  it’s a word often associated with learning, written assignments, worksheets making diagrams etc. but chess practice can be much more engaging, interactive and fun activity to do.

Online gameplay on platforms like Chess.com, Lichess.org etc can be used as a practical tool allowing children to apply all the concepts in their games while developing important and lifelong skills. With puzzle solving coaches can actually encourage kids to play at least 2 games on a daily basis as a part of their daily routine to improve their progress and to implement the concepts taught in the sessions.

Implementation of Classroom Concepts

During the sessions, instructors introduce many different concepts like opening principles, controlling the center, developing pieces but online gameplay is the immediate way to apply all the learnt concepts in their games. The direct connection between learning the concepts and implementing will make the learning process much easier and they’ll remember everything in the long run. Like all the other ways for improvement in chess, consistent practice on any online platform is considered very beneficial as kids get to play with opponents having similar ratings from all over the world without any geographical limitations by staying at home.

Why Gameplay Matters?

Learning theory of chess is a different thing but kids really need to experience real games to understand how those moves work? What should be my next step if my opponent is making a certain move? Kids will be able to find the replies to all their whys when they’re in a game and facing situations where they can think and make decisions accordingly.

Quality Over Quantity

“Quality always outshines quantity.”

Playing online games for practice doesn’t mean that kids have to play as many games as possible to improve. To make the most out of every game it’s completely fine for kids to play  fewer games and analyze each of them to learn from games and not make the same mistakes again and again.

Three or two purposeful games are far better than playing one  game after another making the same mistakes and ending up learning nothing and repeating the same pattern again and again.

Instructors can also assign a specific number of  gameplay tasks to kids according to their level and age.

Right Environment and Healthy Screen Time

Parents also play a crucial role in maintaining healthy screen time for their kids via chess. They can also encourage children to review their games rather than simply playing continuously. With the right balance of supervision, practice, rest, and other activities, online chess can remain an enjoyable and meaningful part of a child's learning routine.

When perceived positively and used thoughtfully, online chess can be considered as an interactive activity and healthy screen time for kids unlike any other school homework based written  assignments which will also allow them play a game, reflect and improve and try to be better one step at a time and these skills will work together and make them more confident as a person and chess players.

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