{"id":58463,"date":"2021-07-29T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=58463"},"modified":"2021-07-28T18:02:22","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T22:02:22","slug":"taking-the-circus-to-school-how-kids-benefit-from-learning-trapeze-juggling-and-unicycle-in-gym-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/taking-the-circus-to-school-how-kids-benefit-from-learning-trapeze-juggling-and-unicycle-in-gym-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking the circus to school: How kids benefit from learning trapeze, juggling and unicycle in gym class"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Twelve public schools in Winnipeg<\/a>\u00a0are currently operating circus programs in physical education.<\/p>\n

Circus arts have been gaining popularity in schools around the world. Added to physical education programs, circus arts instruction not only seems to motivate children to exercise, but also has the potential to develop other abilities beyond the physical.<\/p>\n

My research team measured\u00a0resiliency and physical literacy levels among students who started circus activities in physical education<\/a>. Physical literacy is the competence, confidence and knowledge to be physically active for life.<\/p>\n

Why physical literacy is important for children<\/strong><\/h4>\n

J.J. Ross, co-ordinator of physical education and health education at the St. James Assiniboia school division, helped to implement circus activities for four schools in Canada with about 160 attending students.\u00a0He says the biggest benefit he\u2019s seen in the students<\/a>\u00a0is in motivation and confidence as it relates not only to physical literacy, but to performing. He says:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am traditionally a \u2018sports\u2019 guy and everything I have done in my life was aimed at competing against someone or another group of individuals. This focus is aimed at entertaining, not competing. This has attracted a different group of kids to be active for life.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The initiative at the St. James Assiniboia School Division was part of a research project in which circus activities were implemented in Canadian school curriculum in Grades 4-6. Circus activities encompass juggling balls and scarves,\u00a0flower sticks<\/a>,\u00a0rola bola<\/a>,\u00a0diabolo<\/a>, stilts, unicycle, trampoline, trapeze, rope climbing, hoops, wire and\u00a0German wheel<\/a>. My\u00a0research team compared physical literacy<\/a>\u00a0among these students with students using standard physical education instruction.<\/p>\n