Circus Skills can be seen as a performance art or a sport.
They are an excellent, fun, class activity offering many links to curriculum areas
such as art, music, literacy and numeracy.
“Movement is the door to learning”
Paul Dennison Ph.D (BrainGym®)
Skills such as diabolo, plate spinning and juggling with scarves,
beanbags or balls improve hand-eye coordination, concentration,
manipulation, throwing and catching skills, encompassing both fine
and gross motor control and are excellent cross lateral exercises.
“Cross-lateral movements actually improve
the nerve communication between the two sides of the brain”
C. Hannaford Ph.D
Larger equipment such as stilts, pedal-gos and unicycles
require balance and control of the whole body,
activating the vestibular system,
waking up the brain and preparing it to take in new information.
“Studies show that movement and stimulation of balance
helps attentional disorders and improves reading”
C. Hannaford Ph.D
Pupils will experience pattern, sequence, timing and rhythm
through the use of coloured equipment and the rhythmic movement of their arms
in manipulating the equipment through set patterns,
stimulating both the logical-left and creative-right hemispheres of the brain.
Concentration, focus and perseverance are necessary to master the skills
which are broken down into progressive, attainable steps,
creating a sense of achievement and boost in self-esteem.
There is plenty of scope for cooperative work
as, with only a few basic skills, pupils can work in groups
to choreograph presentations and develop performance routines.
Once learnt, the skills will be lifelong and can be built upon at any time,
the benefits spilling into other aspects of life and learning.
Circus Skills are fun!
© Circusology
