RINGMASTER Vern Hardie will return to Hargreaves Mall on 19 May and this time he\u2019s teaching kids his ninja tricks!<\/p>\n
But among the dragonstaffs and pois is an important lesson for young ones about movement and connectedness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to get students learning how to use these different props while also practicing what we see as the important ninja skills of agility, strength, accuracy and balance,\u201d Mr Hardie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe children are in there thinking \u2018ninja\u2019 but at the core of it we want to teach them how to move better. So, by talking about armed throwing that\u2019s about accuracy, it\u2019s about being able to move quickly across the ground [and] the strength in that, being able to balance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are all really important movement skills for children which a lot of kids nowadays who spend time on screens probably don\u2019t do enough of, so ninja training is a way for us to engage them in this activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Hardie said his workshops also allow children to develop important physical skills like hand-eye coordination and body awareness, especially if they aren\u2019t suited to competitive sports like football or cricket.<\/p>\n
Children are also encouraged to work on communication and emotional skills like resilience and confidence in a fun, active setting.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf something\u2019s not engaging enough then they\u2019re more likely to give up. If they\u2019re engaged in it then they\u2019ll push through that barrier of discomfort, they\u2019ll be more determined, they\u2019ll persist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe core of what I do is about wellbeing. It\u2019s finding a way to feel better about ourselves in the world through creative movement.\u201d Mr Hardie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I believe is one of the best things about these sort of workshops is it gives kids an opportunity to have fun together. They\u2019re actually communicating and connecting and playing with other children.\u201d<\/p>\n
More information on the upcoming ninja workshop can be found on The Connected Circus Facebook page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RINGMASTER Vern Hardie will return to Hargreaves Mall on 19 May and this time he\u2019s teaching kids his ninja tricks! But among the dragonstaffs and pois is an important lesson for young ones about movement and connectedness. \u201cThe idea is to get students learning how to use these different props while also practicing what we […]<\/p>\n