“MiniChess has given me the confidence to work with and train children. It is extremely fulfilling when you see a
child suddenly understand/impliment a concept that they learnt or struggled with.”
“This is a programme where learners are engaged, focused and disciplined – they know exactly what is expected at all times.”
“I have had MiniChess in my kindergarten class for two years now – I love how the programme engages with the students and teaches through stories, songs and chess – learning a lot in the process. ”
“Since MiniChess has been introduced in our classes, we have noticed a lot of development from our children – cognative, logical thinking, problem solving, creativity, playing skills and concentration, as well as reading and emotional maturity.”
“Thank you Marisa and team for making me feel welcome. The MiniChess training was insightful; the program will add great value to the Northern Pretoria community.
I am looking forward to working closely with you.”
“The MiniChess course material is used in a practical way as to integrate it with the curriculum.”
“The program helps the learners to think quickly and critically.”
“The programme has an impact in Maths, languages and life skills because it is teaching with FUN”
“The learners are more con_dent in public speaking”
“The MiniChess program was very interesting. It has improved discipline. They great each other when starting a game. They are not allowed to shout or make noise when they are playing. They respect each other”
“The MiniChess program made a huge impact on most of the learners, especially in mathematics. It was seen in the ANA exam results.”
“The program is good and enjoyable to the learners.”
“It enhanced the spirit of learning and teaching in our school.”
“Four chess facilitators underwent training and presented MiniChess during school hours. It is evident from this achievement that the program is yielding remarkable results. Research has shown that the program develops and strengthens intelligence, thinking skills, creativity, memory, etc. It also builds a solid foundation for learners to acquire Mathematics, Science, and Life Skills. MiniChess is endorsed by GM Garry Kasparov.”
“The teachers are very positive, and everyone worked well together. The learners enjoy the lessons. The teachers were great and performed lovely songs and actions with all the work they had to learn. We definitely see the value of the program.”
”Our school would like to thank and appreciate the MiniChess Project facilitators and the BHP Company for allowing us this opportunity to train and implement MiniChess in our school. As a developing school, we regard the implementation of chess as a medicine that cures our diseases. This project develops our learners. It increases learners’ creativity, improves their memory, and develops skills like focus, observing, visualising, thinking ahead, and abstracting. Chess also helps children (learners) develop socially, as a bonding tool, bringing people of different ages, races, and genders together to enjoy. Children also develop into being critical thinkers, better problem solvers, and are motivated. We have also observed that behaviour (discipline in and around school/classroom) gets improved as a result. School attendance and ANA results are also the benefits wrapped up with all the unending benefits. MiniChess is really a good programme that directly contributes holistically to the entire community, specifically contributing to a learner’s academic improvement and total well-being.”
“MiniChess taught me to use practical, real-life situations, making the lesson start backwards and bring it back
to the books with application. Keeping learners/teachers engaged and interactive and thinking on a different
level.
This is an excellent programme not just for adults but learners from a very young age. I have learned so much
since day one. I developt myself as a person and implement a lot of educational bene ts. This programme has
enriched not just my work environment, but myself in any and all relationships everywhere.”
“The MiniChess programme helps students with self-regulation and discipline. I realy love the programme and wish to continue with this in my class ”
“…this teaches a lot of mathematical concepts. Learners do a lot of counting, symmetry, horizontal/vertical (direction), as well as sportsmanship. I am really enjoying the programme, the kids are really enjoying the programme, and I hope to continue for years to come.”
“The MiniChess programme has undoubtedly made an indelible mark in the lives of our young ones. It has been noticed that learners who participate in the programme display a certain degree of improvement in numeracy and in conduct. My recommendation is that is the resources permit, i would like to see the programme extend to every school in our area of operation so as to bene_t more learners and thus making a larger footprint in
terms of the programme. ”
“I was very impressed. I realise that this program not only has bene_ts for the foundation phase but is also applicable for the intermediate phase.”
“The program is good. It has changed our children’s mental and psychological behaviour.”
“MiniChess develops learners’ thinking skills. They can learn from the chessboard. They can recognize colour and shape”
“The learners improve in SPORTSMANSHIP and respect each other more.”
“This program helped the children learn to play with numbers; by adding and subtracting; by building and breaking down. Children have improved in their Mathematical skills.”
“You have shown your capability in supporting teachers in MiniChess, by visiting and helping educators in the classroom situation. Learners and educators are enjoying the MiniChess”
“This program exercises and develops intelligence in children.”
”Minichess, the continuous support you provided to me has made me the person that I am today. I also want to thank you for being there for me when so many people were losing their jobs last year because of the Corona virus that led the entire universe to go under lockdown, and most people were indeed suffering because of they didn’t have incomes anymore, but MiniChess remained supportive to us and continued to pay and assist in any possible way they can, I want to show my gratitude and appreciation Today I say thanks to all your support systems.”
“Since the implementation of Chess, learner attendance has improved. They are always present at school. In Mathematics, Chess helps learners to know direction (laterality), doubling and halving. In life skills, they become good thinkers.”
“The school would like to draw your attention to the following positives observed in the learners who are taking part in the sport. The following positive outputs were observed by the chess coordinator, Shabalala DM, who happens to be the HOD (Head of the Curriculum in Grade 0–7). This was also confirmed by the teachers who are teaching these learners.
Academic outputs
- The learners are showing interest and improvement in Mathematics.
- They are trying to speak English amongst themselves.
Emotional outputs
- They are showing maturity in solving problems by analysing them.
- These learners are showing improvement in their level of confidence.
Social output
- These learners have turned to socialise amongst themselves and are also showing a high level of socialising.
These observations are not scientific but possible. More observations will be made from now on and will be brought to your attention.
The school wishes, on behalf of all stakeholders, to acknowledge the positive role played by your organisation in shaping these learners towards becoming future productive citizens. We further wish that this chess program can continue and be sustained for many years to come.”
“I like the interactive nature of the programme, it really teaches how to properly integrate and do the MiniChess in the classroom.
Absolutely fantastic, this is a phenomenal programme that, if done right in the classroom, can change a child’s future.”
“It has been amazing to see the kids develop their critical thinking skills, problem-solving and approaching each situation/challenge using their minds, and developing these skills with MiniChess.”
“MiniChess is an informative programme – I have seen mathematical principles applied where students count squares, learn types of lines (horizontal, vertical and diagonal). It has been fun for students, as they can learn through songs.”
“…learners that dont perform well academically, when it’s MiniChess time, they enjoy the programme and are all engaged in the activity, and look forward to it. ”
“To the minichess team, I want to take this time to show my appreciation for the support that you always give to me.
Ever since my path crossed with yours, it has always been a wonderful journey for me and an opportunity to learn and grow. I have benefited a lot from being part of this program, and I enjoy growing with you. This programme has helped me to become a better person and parent, as I continue to share what I learn with the teachers and see learners benefiting from the programme. I continue to lay the foundation and skills that I learn on my family as well. “
“The MiniChess game which is being conducted at Mvelaphanda pre-school is very enriching, particularly to the young children in disadvantaged communities.”
“It is indeed a wonderful programme and children also gain different skills that they can apply in their day-to-day studies.”
“Learners enjoy MiniChess!”
“The MiniChess program had an impact on the children in my class. They can concentrate much better and it helped them to think before they act.”
“Through this program, children understand maths and science.”
“Pawn pieces are good for adding and subtracting. This program has improved my teaching strategies.”
“MiniChess is very interesting, it benefits both in academic and sport.”
“This programme does not only improve numeracy skills, but also improves language and life skills. Schools involved in this programme did well in the Circuit Readathon 2011. Their learners showed maturity in language skills and mathematics.”
”The Mini-Chess programme has proven that our Grade R and Grade 1 learners who participated in the Mini-Chess learnt important social skills like sportsmanship, respect, fairness, patience, leadership, confidence, and a healthy self-perception, aside from the development of their cognitive skills. The promotion and progression of the Grade 1 learners from Term 1 to Term 4 showed a signi_cant improvement in Mathematics, Languages and even Life Skills.”
“It is with great pleasure to inform you that the MiniChess programme, which is being conducted at Mvelaphanda pre-school, is very enriching, particularly to the young children in this disadvantaged community. The programme assesses the child holistically – mental skills, decision making, concentration, differentiating colours, direction and independence. “
“I find it enhancing and engaging for my first-grade students. One thing I like is that it touches base with maths as well, where they do some addition, grouping and graph work… “
“The MiniChess programme teaches partnership, how to win and lose well and respecting others in these moments.”
“…MiniChess is a good programme that develops dicipline in many learning areas.”
“As a Braille Chess player, I had the opportunity to speak at the business development symposium 2024, where I shared my experience and expertise. The professionalism of the Mini Chess Foundation, led by Marisa v.d. Merwe, left a lasting impression. The ideas and prospects that were shared will bear fruit in the future.
Ultimately, the development of young children, more specifically the visually impaired, by using chess as a tool can lead to them becoming well-rounded adults.”
“South Africa as a country is not doing well in the area of mathematics when compared with other countries. Programs like this one make an impact in bridging the gap between our country and the rest of the world.”
“Thank you Marisa for being the GREAT THINKER of our times by introducing the MiniChess in schools.”
“The learners who are taking part in MiniChess are showing interest & improvements in Mathematics. They are showing maturity in the way they are solving problems. They are showing improvements in their level of con_dence.”
“According to the programme, we have all learned a lot – students and teachers”
“This program is very good because since its inception, I have seen a lot of difference in my learners, especially in mathematics.”
“Today I have also started building a house for my family, and it’s all because of minichess. I know I will eventually _finish the house, and I can sleep peacefully with my kids in our home. From the beginning to where I am now, it’s simply because of MINICHESS. This is my work, and there are no other programs that I have done except for MINICHESS. I stand proud to represent the brand Minichess, and I am proud Minichess teacher. “
“The program was excellent and has assisted us in developing learner’s critical thinking, especially on problem-solving & communication, through competitions, games and sportsmanship.”
“The program is valuable. It assists learners in mathematics. It promoted problem solving, critical thinking, communication and sportsmanship.”
”We are really at a loss of sufficient words to express our gratitude for the wonderful work that has been done by your organisation in improving our learners, most particularly in playing chess. Since we know the five objectives of playing chess, which are: to increase and improve analytical thinking, improve problem-solving techniques, improve logic and reasoning skills and improve decision-making skills. We are pleased to inform you that our learners are gradually mastering all the above-mentioned skills. “
“The results of the school-based assessments and progression at the end of 2023 showed the importance of the role that Mini-Chess has played in education as a useful and strategic tool in managing education and the personal development of the modern learner. It also showed an improvement in the learners’ logical thinking, memorising abilities, concentration and self-control.”