About the Guest

Dan Shapiro is the author of Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After School Chess Club, a book inspired by his family’s experience discovering the surprising developmental benefits of chess. After watching chess help his son build confidence, decision-making skills, focus, and resilience, Dan began exploring the history and deeper lessons behind the game—and how parents can use chess as a powerful tool for learning, connection, and growth.

Introduction to the Conversation

What if a simple board game could help children learn to pause before reacting, tolerate frustration, make thoughtful decisions, and become more confident in their own abilities?

In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, Tania Johnson sits down with Dan Shapiro to explore why chess can be so much more than a game. Through his own son’s experience, Dan discovered how chess provides children with repeated, low-stakes opportunities to practice important life skills—including patience, problem-solving, emotional regulation, resilience, and learning from mistakes.

What We Discuss in This Episode

Dan shares how his son’s experience as a twice-exceptional child with ADHD and other learning challenges led their family to chess—and how finding something he could feel genuinely competent at helped strengthen his confidence and sense of agency.

Tania and Dan also explore the connection between chess and emotional regulation. Every move gives children an opportunity to slow down, consider what might happen next, manage frustration, and recover when things don’t go as planned. Over time, these experiences can help children develop the ability to reflect on mistakes rather than simply fear them.

The conversation also explores parent-child connection, healthy competition, screen time, technology, and how chess can give children another avenue for discovering their strengths outside of traditional sports or the arts.

What You’ll Learn

How chess can strengthen focus, patience, and decision-making

Why learning to pause before making a move supports emotional regulation

How losing, reflecting, and trying again can build resilience and confidence

Why chess may be especially engaging for children with different learning styles

Simple ways families can introduce chess—even when parents don’t know how to play

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and professionals looking for playful ways to support children’s confidence, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and resilience. It’s also a wonderful listen for families searching for a screen-free—or more intentionally technology-supported—activity that encourages connection, learning, and growth.