By: Mr. Burnstein, Movement & Games Teacher with source material and writing excerpts by Jackie Davis
Every City of Lakes Waldorf School student masters the art of juggling!
This is a lofty goal but it is by no means impossible. In fact, I am quite confident that we can get there…if….the students practice, practice, practice. Juggling will come easily to a few, can be attained with some hard work by most, and will be challenging and difficult to some. The hardest part is to persevere and not get discouraged if it is taking time. I will support each student the best I can to make sure they succeed. We have already begun to take several steps to learn this skill. I have given clear instructions and the students are on the road to success, but I need your help!
Step 1: Make a Set of Juggling Balls!
If you don’t have a set of juggling balls, there is no need to buy a set. Check out our video with simple instructions for making your own juggling balls here.
Step 2: Practice, Practice, Practice!
Once they all have their own set of juggling balls, each student will take two weeks to reach a self-set juggling goal by practicing every day for at least 10 minutes. I will be handing out a form for them to fill out to record their daily progress. Please help to remind them and to cheer them on. While you’re at it, why not teach yourself to juggle as well!
Step 3: Enjoy the Surprising Benefits of Juggling
Juggling leads to improved hand-eye coordination, bi-manual dexterity, focused concentration, goal-setting skills, problem solving skills, and delayed gratification. Research has shown that there is a direct relationship between the hand-eye coordination learned through juggling and the ability to read, write and reason. Much research has also been published on the positive benefits that juggling has on the development of the brain.
Students that learn how to juggle also find other skills easier to acquire. This is partially because of improved reflexes and coordination, and partially because they have learned how to learn. The process of learning how to juggle by going step-by-step will carry over to many different skills in life. It also leads to self confidence and a heightened sense of ones personal potential.
Thanks for you support. Please let me know if your child is struggling. Ask them daily if they can learn to juggle…and make sure the answer is always, YES, I CAN! (even if it takes me a while).