The pupils of Unica School for Autism in the east of Pretoria, is learning to play chess.
Teacher Linda van Wyk, who is teaching chess at Unica, said pupils are learning to play chess during one of their maths periods once a week.
“They are enjoying it immensely and are constantly asking when the next chess period will be,” said Van Wyk.
Van Wyk said Unica School for Autism is the first school of its kind in the country to implement chess as part of the maths curriculum.
She said it is a great challenge for her as a teacher to teach chess, as some of the pupils are non-verbal, and communicate through a variety of alternative and augmentative communication methods.
“One aspect making chess ideal for autistic children, is that the game requires pattern and object recognition, a known strength of people with autism.”
The principal of Unica, Dr Cobie Lombard, said it is an exciting new project which in a short period of time, has already taught them as staff new things about the pupils.
“We are already thinking with some refinement of the programme, it can be extended to other schools for autistic children.”
“Chess has been shown to enhance the analytical, critical thinking and visualisation skills of the pupils as the game also requires concentration and logical thinking,” said Lombard.
Lombard explained that chess exercises both sides of the brain.
“The activation of the right hemisphere of the brain helps develop the child’s creative side and greatly increases originality.”
“Being a good chess player means remembering how one’s opponent has operated in the past and recalling moves that have helped you win before.”
“This improves memory and organisational skills,” said Lombard
She said the obvious link between chess and mathematics is the requirement of logical thinking and precise pattern recognition.
