Articles & Research
The following articles are a mix of exciting anecdotal evidence and thorough empirical research that proves the benefits that learning chess has on the cognitive development of young children.
Jim Celone's literature review of studies proving chess's benefits in and out of the classroom: http://www.edutechchess.com/whychess.html
New York Times' article about the State of Idaho adopting a chess curriculum in 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms state wide as an education strategy: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/us/20chess.html?_r=1&ex=1206763200&en=360c7ccc88de637f&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Others:
http://www.psmcd.net/otherfiles/BenefitsOfChessInEdScreen2.pdf
http://www.main.nc.us/bcsc/Chess_Research_Study_I.htm
http://www.chessforsuccess.org/resources/research.php
http://www.main.nc.us/bcsc/Chess_in_Education.htm
http://amchess.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ChessResearchSummary.pdf
http://www.susanpolgar.com/susan-polgar-foundation-benefits.html