Have you ever taught chess to kids?

(Erik, wow! Can you share some stories, like how you got started on this, early days, etc.)

Jack, the best way - from my experience - is just playing more and more games. My older son, who is 9 now, had a handful of lessons at age 6 but he obviously didn't remember a thing.  But this summer we just began playing again, and he picked it up extremely well. After a week or two of slosh, we switched to endings. Then openings. Then combinations. Finally, full games. And, puzzles. We get books from the library and follow a game here and there. We read history, player bios, theory, etc.

Then, surprise! The 4 year old too wanted to play and he started just the way Manoj described :-). Then we introduced rules, one a week, and now he can give a pretty decent fight, even an occassional mate if you aren't really watching. The last remaining rule left for him is e.p. 

What's the numeric rating system  and how do they get started?

I direct tournaments.  I saw 1 boy reduced to tears and wishing he had never played. But the next game he was on top of the world as he crushed another on the board.

This year my daughter (13 y/o) is in the 1000+ range (1044 in Nov).  She gives 1500 players a tough game.  But there are days she is just goofy and will lose to a 600 player.

I taught an eight year old boy and a six year old little girl at the same time.  It was fun.  The little girl picked it up as fast as the older boy and she would get so intense that she had to go pee at frequent intervals.  So cute. Now, they both beat all their classmates at game time and proud as punch of themselves!

Taught my son to play when he was 3.  Now that he is 4 he plays a mean game.  The only thing he has trouble with is slowing down.  He just loves blitz and it's difficult to get him to play longer time controls.  But as long as he has fun that's the main thing.

i am but we back when am still a street wood pusher am 25 when a boy reallly want to play with me (in the philippines u have to pay your tuition if u want to learn, so every time i play with him and the others (kids)really play well so time comes that this one boy that came to i never win more games from him ,so i ask him how do you like the teaching ,and said to me am glad sir even the my comrade know this and laugh at i said want to play this boy ? so they try no one wins a single play any one of them now its my turn to laugh at them ,,how do you do that they said i teach him ,all the tuition that he pays to me (the boy) are all turn in back to him ,for now he is one of the national master ,this boy thanks me a lot, but i said go find the good path of your life and always remember i said to you never never buy a game in chess and never that any one ask to pay you for a game that they want to win ,,play the game ,win and if lose study

I am now teaching my brother.

the best way to learn a kid to play chess is first to make that kid understand the chess anotation as soon as you can. it will be way easier to discuss about moves and tactics later.

Make him note all his games. And review em with him(her).

it's real important so he understands how he can improve his game learning from his own mistakes.

Play 2 diferent kind of games against the kid.
1 game where you don't let him a chance, everytime he blunders, you show him the consequences of his blunders by explaining him why it's a blunder. With that method, he will learn to think before moving

and

1 game where you ask him to think about it before he does a blunder, that way, he will reach endgame and learn about it. That way, he will see how good a game could go if he searches for the best moves.

If the kid is not interested, do not force him.
if he is, then play as much as you can and as he wants with him alternating both type of game, and reviewing em.

Kids do not need theories from books, or to learn how to open perfectly.
They need experience.. and the only way they can get it from is playing chess, and looking over their games.
When you will review, he will remember his moves and remember what he toughts about,  and correct this if he did a blunder.

I have taught my cousins 10 yrs my junior(and his teamates) and another 7 years my junior the moves and everything i knew about the game way back in the 90's. The 1st one who is 10 yrs my junior went on to become the elementary division champion in his school and at the same time brought  another trophy for team champions, which became the step of him becoming a memeber of their schools chess varsity team.The other one ended up a huslter (playing blitz, and long games with stakes) which i regretted. Now i am teaching my two daughters the game ages 8 and 5.When my 3 mos old son reach 5 ,i'll teach him too.Lastly, about 4 mos. ago i taught chess to street children in an NGO (non-government organization) helping poor street children find means to enjoy their youth in a peacfull and useful manner instead of on taking drugs and stealing.

Good work baltic. Maybe you should become FIDE trainer!

I would love too bro, but i don't think i'm qualified  and secondly my job really takes a lot of attention.Thanks  for your comment bro.

I have taught it to 1 person!

ADK

i started to teach my daughter who was 5 at the time (Now 6). all i could do was show her the basics as i'm not a very strong player. she enjoys playing chess with me and likes to castle behind a fianchetto position. does anyone recommend any chess books i can use to study which i can then teach to my daughter because my own chess knowledge is very limited.