Developing Strategic Thinking in the Classroom

Bill and I will present ways to encourage and nurture strategic thinking in school children, by means of strategy-based games.

Montessori and Musashi

Maria Montessori observed children begin complex thinking as early as three years of age. Miyamoto Musashi believed that the advantages of strategy are present in any occupation: swordsman, merchant, carpenter, or housewife.

How to Practice Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is a life skill to be developed and improved. Abstract strategy games are ideal as an enjoyable and satisfying means to practice and hone those skills.

The games we include are based on two criteria:

• No random or chance elements: no dice. no shuffling of cards or tiles.
• An even playing field. All participants begin with the same array of pieces and an equal amount of space on the board.

These are all games of observing, planning, and moving. And then repeating this for all subsequent turns.

Abstract Strategy Games

Chess, Shogi, and Xiangqi are among the games we’ll examine, of course. We will also include more intricate games, such as Tori Shogi and Go.

Pre-K teachers learn of games that can be learned and played by very young children, such as Sternhalma (‘Chinese Checkers’) and Mancala.

“The hand is the instrument of intelligence. The child needs to manipulate objects and to gain experience by touching and handling.” -Maria Montessori

Board games are not a lost art; rather they are evidence of history and the most fundamental way to enjoy the challenge — by touching and moving real pieces.

Jinsei o ajiwau