Story-based Chess Lessons!
Launching 2026
“In a world where every chess piece has a heart, a diverse cast of young learners discover life’s biggest lessons - one move at a time.”
SEL/CASEL Chess Lessons Loved by Teachers, Trusted by Parents.
Why? Here are just a few reasons:
This storytelling-based SEL chess curriculum offers districts a research-aligned, engaging, and equitable approach to developing the whole child.
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By combining strategic gameplay with narrative and emotional learning, this curriculum builds critical academic and life skills while fostering positive school culture.
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Its proven classroom impact and scalable design make it a compelling investment for funders and school systems seeking innovative, outcomes-driven SEL solutions.
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Bring Little Ones Chess Into Your Chess Program!
Our social-emotional, story-based method promotes the building of life-skills such as patience, choice, and the understanding of consequences (positive and negative). Children develop the ability to have fun and sit with discomfort. They learn to see the board, and the world around them, from someone else’s perspective. Essential skills for future growth!
And perfect for developing curious, emotionally intelligent critical thinkers in and out of the classroom! No prior chess experience required.
Foundation License:
Best for:
Schools and After-school Programs with experienced Staff
SEL Curriculum Access (1 yr.) for up to 3 onsite Educators
Access to any and all curriculum upgrades during license term
Teaching Guides and Lesson Pacing
Email support: (2-3 business day response)
Starting at: $2,000 per year
Partnership License:
Best for:
New or scaling programs interested in guided rollouts for extra confidence
Everything in the Foundation License + SEL Curriculum Access (1 yr.) for up to 6 onsite Educators
1 Implementation Support Session per quarter (4/year)
Priority email support: (1 business day response)
Optional onboarding & planning session
Starting at: $4,000 per year
Extended Support Add-On’s:
Best for:
Programs needing sustained strategic support. Ongoing, hands-on trauma-informed guidance to further enhance the curriculum’s SEL design.
Additional Implementation Support Pack:
3 Guided Support Sessions with our curriculum developer that address:
Curriculum or lesson delivery questions Classroom management and student engagement
Student emotional regulation and group dynamics
Lesson pacing and timing
Teacher confidence and preparation
Additional Implementation Support Pack:
5 Guided Support Sessions with our curriculum developer that address:
Curriculum or lesson delivery questions Classroom management and student engagement
Student emotional regulation and group dynamics
Lesson pacing and timing
Teacher confidence and preparation
Starting at: $450 - $750 per year
Looking to implement across multiple sites or at a district level? Get in touchto discuss a tailored partnership.
Pay
it ForwardSponsor A Site!
Pay It Forward — Sponsor a School / Support the Mission:
Not every chess program has the resources to fund new and exciting programs. But every child deserves the chance to develop life-changing skills.
If Little Ones Chess has resonated with you — as an educator, a parent, or simply someone who believes in the power of play and story — you can play a role in bringing it to an underserved school. Contribute any amount toward a school's license, and help keep Little Ones Chess free for underserved schools everywhere. Your contribution also helps maintain:
Direct onboarding and training support for teachers and classrooms already using LOC
Ongoing curriculum development: new illustrations, and the continuation of the King Mateo Adventure Series with Curriculums 2 & 3 for intermediate and advanced young learners
Translation work, so more young learners can benefit
Reaching schools who don't yet know LOC exists
Foundation Sponsorship — $2,000 One full year of curriculum access for one school or program — 19 story-based SEL chess lessons, teaching guides, and ongoing email support, gifted entirely on your behalf.
Partnership Sponsorship — $4,000 Everything in the Foundation level, plus quarterly implementation support sessions and priority access to our curriculum developer — for programs that want extra guidance as they grow.
Want to add extra support? You can include additional guided support sessions alongside either sponsorship level — 3 sessions ($450) or 5 sessions ($750) — for schools that would benefit from more hands-on help.
Once your sponsorship is complete, we'll let you know which school or program you're supporting. And we’ll make sure you stay connected to your sponsored class with periodic updates on their progress!
Sponsoring more than one school? Simply adjust the quantity at checkout. Want to discuss a larger or customised sponsorship? Get in touch.
* All sponsorships are processed securely through Stripe. Please note that as Little Ones Chess is a for-profit business, sponsorships are not tax-deductible charitable donations, but rather payments made on behalf of a school or program of your choosing. We, and all the schools we partner with, thank you for your generosity!
FAQs
You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers
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We designed this curriculum for children ages 4-12. Though we do understand that younger learners, or learners with a shorter attention span may benefit from more compact stories. And with this in mind, we created a “simplified” version of each standard lesson! That way, everyone can join King Mateo on his adventures in life and chess!
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Our SEL Chess Curriculum integrates social-emotional learning directly into chess instruction, helping students develop emotional regulation, decision-making, resilience, and positive peer interaction—through story and play.
Designed for schools and after-school programs, the curriculum is structured, flexible, and easy to implement by chess instructors, teachers, or enrichment staff.
This curriculum supports:
Emotional regulation during competition
Growth mindset and reflective thinking
Respectful communication and sportsmanship
Perseverance and coping with challenge
Social awareness through collaborative play
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Licensing for schools/chess programs begins at $2,000. See section above these FAQ’s for more info.
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How long does a license last? All Little Ones Chess licenses are valid for one school year from the date of purchase.
How does renewal work? You'll receive a renewal reminder by email before your license expires. Renewal pricing reflects the current rate at time of renewal. Contact us at info@littleoneschess.com with any questions.
What is your refund policy? Due to the digital nature of this curriculum, all sales are final. If you experience a technical issue preventing access, please contact us at info@littleoneschess.com and we'll resolve it promptly.
What happens to my materials when my license expires? Access to the online course will end when your license expires. We recommend downloading any PDFs you wish to keep before your renewal date.
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Each lesson was designed with the classroom in mind. So while the stories themselves take only 10 minutes or less to read, their accompanying teaching guides are perfect for instructing a typical 45min. - 1hour class/home instruction.
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Each of these sessions are approx. 45-1hr depending on your scheduling needs.
Adventures with King Mateo await you!