4 ms·

My knee-jerk reaction to 'made' was of course not. And then I thought about it. We 'make' children learn how to do fundamental mathematics and it doesn't seem d

by hsmyers 16y ago

My knee-jerk reaction to 'made' was of course not. And then I thought about it. We 'make' children learn how to do fundamental mathematics and it doesn't seem do them harm (yes there are serious arguments about when and how we should do that, but setting that aside...) I have always been in favor of chess being offered in school. I've always thought that if it is good enough for West Point, then it is good enough for the local school system. Even out here in the 'sticks' of Idaho, we have a thriving academic chess program with no apparent damage. This is merely an escalation of elective to requirement--- still no harm. Obligatory admission; I regularly play tournament chess as a rated player (silly addiction :) ).

rpedroso 16y ago
It's the same aversion we recall our childhood selves and react to anything our parents "force" us to do. Force isn't so effective -- it would be best if parents found creative ways to entice their kids with chess and chess-like activities (why not Backgammon, which I prefer, or Go?). They make us eat vegetables, play instruments, do our homework, etc. In the end, years down the line, I'll thank them for it. Personally, I'm disappointed that my parents never made me play an instrument or an intellectually stimulating game like chess. It wasn't until relatively (<4) years that I picked up Backgammon and classical guitar, and I cringe when I think about how I would have benefited from years more experience.
consentfinder 16y ago
>We 'make' children learn how to do fundamental mathematics and it doesn't seem do them harm Ask adults on the street what is 6 * 9 and most will fail to answer correctly. Probe further and most will apologise and announce with a smile that they were never much good at math at school. This is fossil evidence of the harm caused by early coercion in the area of arithmetic.

by hsmyers 16y ago

rpedroso 16y ago

It's the same aversion we recall our childhood selves and react to anything our parents "force" us to do. Force isn't so effective -- it would be best if parents found creative ways to entice their kids with chess and chess-like activities (why not Backgammon, which I prefer, or Go?). They make us eat vegetables, play instruments, do our homework, etc. In the end, years down the line, I'll thank them for it. Personally, I'm disappointed that my parents never made me play an instrument or an intellectually stimulating game like chess. It wasn't until relatively (<4) years that I picked up Backgammon and classical guitar, and I cringe when I think about how I would have benefited from years more experience.

consentfinder 16y ago

>We 'make' children learn how to do fundamental mathematics and it doesn't seem do them harm Ask adults on the street what is 6 * 9 and most will fail to answer correctly. Probe further and most will apologise and announce with a smile that they were never much good at math at school. This is fossil evidence of the harm caused by early coercion in the area of arithmetic.