Do your kids (or you) want to learn magic

[simonrosselli]

Do your kids (or you) want to learn Magic?

I?ve been teaching the After School Magic Clubs for over 10 years now in the Dulwich area, at a couple of the local schools. I?m also a proud Member of The Magic Circle and President of South London Magic Society ? where I have won the Close Up Competition three times. I was also nominated for the Mayor of Croydon?s Teacher of the Year Award for Community and Enterprise.

At present there are limited after school clubs, so I?m now teaching Magic Lessons online via Zoom. These lessons are designed for years 3, 4, 5 & 6 but if you are interested we can teach teens and adults - please contact for more details and availability.

I normally teach them in a lesson, One Card Trick, One Non-Card Trick using something other than cards (ie rubber bands, paper clips, pens, cups, coins etc) and One trick from a prop that I give them. This is a proper magic prop which they get to keep and as they continue the club they build up a number of props and effects. Sometimes we make tricks as well and for this they also get to use their creativity and craft skills. I will let them know well in advance what they need to prepare for the lesson and be mailing out the props well in advance.

Normally we spend about 15 minutes on each of these and the class is between 45 ? 60mins and if there is five minutes at the end I would show them some magic. Normally the club runs for 10 lessons a term and for the last lesson we put on a performance for their parents, friends and family. To me this is almost the most important lesson of the term, as not only it means they get to put into practice what they have learnt but standing in front of a group of people by yourself and having to perform (with no one to help) is something that they can learn a lot from (see Benefits of Magic). We will do a zoom magic show for the last lesson.

These online course will be fully interactive and will take place on your computer, phone or tablet using the Zoom App. Online lessons will include everything you would get at the after school club, plus lecture notes which will help you to support your child afterwards. All the props will be yours to keep and you can add them to your prop box. We will also put the lessons up on the internet for a limited period.

After each course we put on a show for friends and family. This to me is the most important lesson as they basically are performing to the world and his wife and we have had people from Japan, America and Europe in these shows. The confidence this gives them is a so valuable for lessons later on in life when they have to get up in front of everyone and deliver a speech or something similar. Please see the 8 benefits of learning magic below.

The courses cost ?75 and this will be for 10 lessons. As stated before they will be getting notes, a prop and access to lesson videos after the event. They will also get a certificate of achievement according to their level of wand they have now progressed to.

When I signed the kids up it was a random selection of something different for them to do in lockdown. I had no idea how it would work out.

However, the kids have really enjoyed it. The class exceeded expectations. I?ve never had grumblings about missed tv - they?ve been keen to take part in classes and have been proud to show family what they?ve learned.

If you are interested please drop me an email at [email protected] and a preferred day of the week. We will be running them on Wednesdays from 4.30pm. Please see below for 8 benefits of learning Magic.

8 Benefits of Learning Magic

Why learn magic? Although magic is generally recognized as a fun hobby and popular form of entertainment

behind reading minds and making any number of magical things happen. But, as you read the secrets, you might also get hooked on the psychology of magic, become captivated by the intricacies of stag, there's also a lot of value to be gained from learning and performing magic for others.

1. (Re) discover the joy of learning. Want to learn how to read someone's mind? Read a book on magic and you'll discover the secrets ecraft, enticed by business opportunities, find yourself hanging onto the edge of your seat as you read tales of rivalry and espionage, and more. Even if you're not keen on reading, give a magic book a try. Chances are you won't be able to put it down!

2. Develop fine and gross motor skills. Although it is a misconception that a magician's hands move "quicker than the eye," it is true that performing magic requires coordination and control. Magic can be used to help improve dexterity, coordination, ranges of motion, balance and more.

3. Build self-discipline. Practice and you'll see your skills progress. When you've mastered the mechanics of the trick, you can start scripting it. Stage it. Practice some more. Pick out a costume. Rehearse the trick by putting all of the elements together. When you're ready to perform, the ultimate reward will be your audience's astonishment and applause. Cultivate this disciplined approach to learning and there will be no limit to what you can achieve.

4. Boost self-confidence. When performed successfully, a magic trick can generate a lot of positive attention and make you feel quite good. Be both humble and proud of what you are able to do. Continue to develop your special skill and see how you can use your talent to help bring joy to others.

5. Improve interpersonal skills. The process of learning magic is particularly suited to developing social-emotional skills. For example, someone learning magic may end up practicing verbal and nonverbal communication, presentation skills, developing a sensitivity to group dynamics or all of the above. In a recent study conducted by psychologist Richard Wiseman, students who were taught magic were significantly more social and confident than a control group of students who were taught a standard social and health education class. Notably, these interpersonal skills have real-world value and can be an asset when applied both inside and outside the classroom.

6. Stimulate curiosity and creativity. In the words of Arthur C. Clarke, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Indeed, in order to remain relevant, magicians have worked hard to stay at the cutting edge of discoveries in theater, science, and technology. Long before robots and computers were invented, for example, magicians were already constructing automata, or self-operating machines. If you have every wondered, "What if... " or dreamed about ways to make the impossible possible, then you have begun thinking like some of the greatest magicians that have ever lived.

7. Open doors. Magic is a skill that has utility in a wide range of contexts. Doctors, for example, often use magic tricks to help put young patients at ease. Businessmen use magic at tradeshows to distinguish themselves from the competition. Teachers have used magic as a tool for engaging students and illustrating important concepts. And scientists have studied magicians' techniques in order to gain new insight into how the human mind works.

8. Magic has no boundaries and transcends differences. Magic has no age barrier, we are all kids at heart, Magic has no language/cultural barriers and can go beyond race, language and culture. So go and learn a magic trick or two. You might be pleasantly surprised by the possibilities that appear. There's no telling where your journey in magic may lead you!

The Noblest Art is that of Making others Happy P. T. Barnum

Love and Magic have a great deal in common.

They enrich the soul, delight the heart and they both take practice.

For more info contact us via the website www.amigosmagic.co.uk