Here is an article about the Illinois Chess Teachers organization and their efforts to get scholastic children involved in chess:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148176&src=1 

The Windsor Elementary School is set to hold a chess tournament where more than 150 kids will participate from many of the local schools. Also, every week the students receive chess lessons and play each other. The chess clubs are very popular throughout the local school district.

"Surprisingly, kindergarten students pick up on chess quickly and are fun to watch", said one of the organizers.

I'd love to do a simul with those kids and pretend I'm Kasparov for an afternoon.

 Here in Australia we are doing very similar things and recently ran a junior tournament with 226 entries! The youngest entry was a 4 year old girl who managed to score 2.5/7!

Check it out here >

http://www.sydneyacademyofchess.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=646&pid=1519&st=0&#entry1519 

In New York City, my kids attend a parochial school where chess is introduced in Kindergarten. In fact, the school builds chess into part of the basic curriculum, it is not merely an after-thought. Additionally, "extra" after-school chess clubs are available. My 5 year old (Kindergarten) and 7 year old (first grade) girls signed up for it this year, and entered a few tournaments during the 2007-08 academic year. They are not particularly great (believe me, I almost pop out of my skin to retain my composure when I see them leave a major piece en prise), but they've come a long way in learning the game (development, center control, etc.); it's hard to see their tactics ability at this very young age yet.

Point is... young children easily pick up the game and Kindergarten is a great time tpo introduce it. In a way, it's like a new language, though a bit easier. When considering other options like video games and mindless television, chess is significantly better. :)