We’ve all seen it before. Someone has a bright idea and shares it with a peer. The peer agrees it’s a great idea. They should do something. And then…nothing happens.
Well, that’s not the case with Mr. Joseph Seura. This young man had a passion for chess. And he wanted to find a place to share that passion with other like minded children in Miami Springs. So Joseph, with an assist from his mom, took the initiative to bring his idea to the Miami Springs Library. Joseph spoke with the Library Director, Rita Mayer, and she graciously agreed to provide the space and a weekly time slot.
Now that’s how you teach children to take initiative and make things happen.
Naturally, Joseph’s mom was gushing with pride:
“I’m so proud of my youngest son @Josephseura for starting the Chess Project at Miami Springs Library! Joseph had been trying to find a chess club near MS for a while. He searched online and when he couldn’t find anything he came up with the idea of going to the library to inquire about starting a club. The club became official and held its first meeting on Wednesday, February 16th with two participants; Joseph and chess expert Jorge Luis Molina. The second club meeting was yesterday and there was a large number of kids!
I was overjoyed to see our kids sharing and enjoying the club. What a special moment.”
How to join
The Tween & Teen Chess Club is for kids ages 8 – 18. They meet Wednesdays from 6pm – 7pm at the Miami Springs Library located at 401 Westward Drive near the Miami Springs Tennis Courts.
Come play, converse, and grow! Drop-in and play chess games in a friendly environment. Bring your own chess set or use one of the sets at the library.
Oh. And the best part. It’s free!
Come by and bring your child next Wednesday and try it out.
Benefits of Playing Chess for Kids
- Develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Chess requires players to analyze situations, anticipate moves, and plan strategies, which enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Improves memory and concentration: Playing chess involves memorizing the positions of different pieces and predicting opponents’ moves, which enhances memory and concentration.
- Enhances creativity: Chess requires players to think creatively and come up with unique solutions to win the game, which enhances creativity.
- Teaches patience and perseverance: Chess is a game that requires patience and perseverance to master, and playing it can help children develop these qualities.
- Improves academic performance: Studies have shown that children who play chess tend to perform better academically, particularly in math and reading.
- Boosts confidence and self-esteem: As children improve their chess skills, they gain confidence and self-esteem.
- Encourages socialization: Chess is a social game that can help children build relationships and make new friends.
- Develops sportsmanship: Chess players learn to be gracious in both victory and defeat, which develops sportsmanship.
- Teaches responsibility: Chess players must take responsibility for their moves and decisions, which teaches children responsibility.
- Provides a lifelong hobby: Chess is a game that can be played for a lifetime, and children who learn to play chess can continue to enjoy it as they grow older