Tactical problems

I wanted to ask experienced players or to professional teachers if it is better for a 7yrs old kid (my son) and in general for children to solve tactical problems directily on books or on the chessboard (which obviously takes lot of time to be set up).

I'm asking this because on some books it is suggested to do the exercise directily on the book while i have been told by other players (much stronger then me) to use the board.

thx in advance!

The way I see it there are two competing benefits to the student: learning from the notes and practicing visualization.

Setting a position up on a board and playing through the variations can help the student see the moves and positions more clearly. So now all the effort can be spent on learning from the notes. Alternatively, using only a diagram the student must practice the essential skill of visualizing moves and future positions.

In general I'd say solve puzzles from a diagram because they'll be short and only one or two variations. Even when looking up the solutions, try to visualize them from the diagram.

In strategy books it's similarly useful to try to follow along using only the diagrams, but sometimes (likely all the time for a beginner) the variations are too long and the diagrams too few so it's not practical for the student. In those cases use a board, but don't completely stop visualizing. If there is a very short variation or small tactic, try to visualize it first before moving the pieces.

I think it depends.  Are you teaching him at all, or is he doing it all on his own?

I prefer to teach using the board -- I demonstrate the concept behind the tactical theme (eg, the visual and logical component), have my kids do a few positions with me at the board to make sure they understand the basics, and then send them off to do positions on their own (using worksheets, books, computer positions, whatever).  I always have my kids write down their calculations (the specific variations and the final material balance).  

If they can't solve a problem in a book/worksheet/computer (but tried a few variations), then we sit down at the board and try to work out the solution together.  I prompt them with set questions about the visual piece (eg, is the king exposed, are there any loose pieces, are any pieces in a line, etc).  

If they still cant find it I will tell them which visual clue matters the most, and I may even have to show them exactly what the tactic is.  You can take off the board all of the material that doesn't matter (and just creates noise) to focus on the exact tactical theme in the position.  In those cases I'll give them more positions on that theme to make sure they see the specific tactics in the future.  The more pieces on the board the harder it is for kids/beginners to find the tactic.

If you're not involved in teaching him, then I'd recommend your son use a kids workbook (there are plenty out there) and only have him use the board if he can't solve a problem...before looking up the answer, he should just note the position and when he has the time, setup the position on the board, set a clock for 5-10 minutes, and move the pieces around to try out different ideas.  

Thank you very much