Have you ever had to convince your boss to give you a raise? Or, had to talk your way out of a speeding ticket? If so, then you know first-hand the power of persuasion.
The ability to persuade others is a valuable skill that everyone could do with, and chess is the perfect game to teach your kids the art of persuasion. Chess requires players to think ahead, anticipate their opponent's moves, and adjust their strategy accordingly. In other words, chess helps build cognitive skills in children to think two steps ahead.
The Theory of Mind and How Persuasion Works
Theory of mind is the ability we all have to see things from another's point of view. It's essential in all our interactions.
A new study from Mount Sinai School of Medicine elaborates on how the Theory of Mind helps us in seeing things from another’s point of view and using this knowledge in persuading others. Theory of mind or ToM is defined as the ability to “read minds” or understand and take into account another person's mental state (Premack and Woodruff, 1978).
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The tactfulness of pushing (or manipulating) another person to act in a way that is contrary to their typical behaviour is an example of the art of persuasion. It's about changing someone's mind or decisions by presenting them with new information or appealing to their emotions.
Research confirms that the application of persuasion or manipulation on others involves that part of the brain that is used often in strategic games like chess.
There are three key elements to persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos. The process of developing one's trustworthiness is known as ethos. In other words, it's about convincing the other person that you're trustworthy and knowledgeable.
The use of pathos involves making an appeal to the audience's sentiments. It is about making an emotional connection with the person you're trying to persuade.
Making use of reasoning is what ‘logos’ is all about. That means it's about presenting facts and evidence to support your case.
The most convincing arguments will use all three of these elements, which just so happens to be exactly what chess does!
How Chess Teaches Kids to be Good at Persuasion
One thing common with great chess players, world leaders or successful statesmen is that they all think ahead. They always move many steps ahead of their rivals.
In today’s world, every social interaction is much like a game of chess. It is about getting inside someone’s thought process to understand what they are contemplating or calculating and thus, plan accordingly.
Manipulation, in its true sense, is a negative tactic. But what if the theory of mind helps children to plan and win by reading minds and anticipating the outcomes? That’s what chess teaches them.
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Ethos: Chess is a game that demands players to have a high degree of intelligence and knowledge since it involves the understanding of a variety of difficult concepts, including strategic planning, probability, and psychology. Chess is a game that can help children build self-confidence in their own talents as well as teach them how to communicate their wisdom to others in a way that is convincing.
Logos: Every move in chess has several implications, and the player must give careful consideration to all of them before making a move. If they don't, they run the risk of losing the entire game. Because of this, players are required to take their time and give careful consideration to each action they make, which is a skill that is extremely useful for anyone who wants to learn how to use logic and facts to convince others.
Pathos: Trying to figure out what your opponent is thinking is one of the most difficult aspects of playing chess, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. What exactly are they contemplating? What are they hoping to accomplish by doing this? What are some of their areas of weakness? If you are able to correctly answer these questions, then you will be able to win almost any chess match. However, in order to do so, you will first need to establish an emotional connection with your opponent.
How to Instil Persuasive Skills in Children?
There are a few different ways you can go about teaching your children the skills they need to be good at persuasion. A stint with chess will give them the opportunity to not only learn how to play the game but also interact with other kids and adults who are good players or who are also trying to improve their chess skills.
If you want to make sure that your child is getting the most out of their chess classes, it's important to make sure that they are enrolled in the right ones. There are a few things you should look for when choosing a chess class for your child.
The first is that the class should be by a qualified instructor. The instructor should have a solid understanding of the game and be able to teach it effectively. They should also be able to help your child develop their skills in the right manner.
The second you should look for is a class that is well-organized and has a curriculum that is designed to help children learn and improve their skills. The class should also be challenging enough so that your child is constantly learning and growing, but not so challenging that they become discouraged or frustrated.
The third thing you should look for is a class that is fun and engaging. Your child should enjoy going to their chess class and feel like they are learning something valuable every time they attend.
Conclusion:
Of all the games out there that teach these important skill sets, none do it better than chess, which requires players to establish trustworthiness, use reasoning, and connect on an emotional level. So next time your child asks you permission to play another round of chess, say yes! Not only will they have a blast with the activity, but it will also help to build cognitive skills in children that will benefit them for years to come.
If you are interested in chess coaching in Bangalore for your kids, get them to Mind Mentorz. They have a unique way of teaching children that helps them not only understand the game of chess but also develop a strong mindset that goes beyond just a board game.