Peak: Secrets From The New Science of Expertise

by K. Anders Ericsson

The precise details are not important, however. What is important is that Susan became interested in chess as a child — and that she became interested in the only way that a child of that age (she was three at the time) could become interested: she saw the chess pieces as fun. As toys. As something to play with. Young children are very curious and playful. Like puppies or kittens, they interact with the world mostly through play. This desire to play serves as a child’s initial motivation to try out one thing or another, to see what is interesting and what is not, and to engage in various activities that will help them build their skills. At this point they’re developing simple skills, of course — arranging chess pieces on a chessboard, throwing a ball, swinging a racket, organizing marbles by shape or pattern — but for future experts, this playful interaction with whatever has caught their interest is their first step toward what will eventually become their passion.

Play to start learning.