There are just some things that are easier to learn when you are young. Learning the rules of chess when you are young will ensure that you will be able to enjoy this game of strategy for the rest of your life. The longer that you play the easier it will become over time.
Knowing how to play the game can prove to invaluable for a child. No video game can teach the same level of patience and attention that is required to play this timeless game. Even a young child can begin to learn the basic system involved, and then build upon it over time. As with any good skill, forming the foundation comes first, and in this case a young child is the perfect age to begin constructing it.
Given the high level of strategy involved, to get young minds working on it will prime them for other similar activities and keep them sharp academically. This often proves to be great way to build problem solving skills that will no doubt transfer to other subject matter. Children good at this often excel in one or more scholastic endeavors.
As they grow older, into high school, there are venues in which kids can compete in this. In some cases the stakes grow high, and even college scholarships are awarded to winners. There is of course a certain degree of pressure that goes along with this. This affords a new opportunity to learn coping strategies.
Learning the rules of chess can begin when young, and then progress over time. It becomes a study after a while. This is more than just a game or pastime, it is something that is worked at with care and devotion. With attention, that same devotion will spill over into other areas of life, such as school or work. When cultivated, this is something that a child can carry for life.