I taught several kids with various types and degree of disabilies. Some were at the level of 7 and 8 year olds.


I'd always start with the pawns, and play for an hour (or however long they were interested) with only pawns on the board. The next day I would add the rooks, and play with only pawns and rooks. Then with only: pawns and bishops; pawns and queens; pawns and kings; and finally, pawns and knights.


After they had all the moves down we would play with the whole set, and introduce the concept of winning by taking the king. It takes a while, but they all learned. I'm sure I had more fun than they did.