Starting this school year, preschool and elementary school children will be able to learn chess—not as an extracurricular activity outside the curriculum, but as an additional course, through the Skills Workshops.
But here, on Kythira, thanks to an initiative by art educator Christina Romaio, along with the teachers and parents of the Chora Karvounadon Elementary School, a pioneering effort took place. It was decided to build outdoor floor chessboards, large chess pieces were ordered, and so the students will have the opportunity to play their favorite game in their free time.
Ms. Christina Romaio wrote: «I’d like to thank my colleagues, the Parents» Association, which embraced this initiative, and everyone who devoted their free time—with so much love—to making this project a reality for our children. I am so happy about this collective effort! With teamwork and cooperation, we can accomplish so much!”
A floor chessboard has been in place for two years now in Potamos
As pointed out by teacher Ms. Natasha Kanga, there has already been a floor chessboard in the courtyard of Potamos Elementary School for the past two years, long before the Ministry of Education announced its program. The students play chess every day, as well as other floor games designed in their free time by teachers, parents, and children, on the initiative of the principal, Ms. Kosma.
The photos are from the Karvounades Elementary School
