WHAT IS HOCUS FOCUS?
As parents and educators, the most important aspect of our work is to help our children prepare for a bright and challenging future. But if we don’t also teach them how to deal with life’s difficulties, many simply won’t realize their potential. And for those students who face additional challenges – LD, ADHD, SLD, NLD, Autism, or any number of other physical and/or psychosocial obstacles – our job may include finding strategies to move them into becoming a more competent learner.
Developing a healthy self-concept and self-esteem are very important for all children. Empowering students to feel good about themselves and their accomplishments can increase their motivation to try harder, take more risks, and continue to build their self-confidence.
For children with exceptionalities, this self-concept is a crucial element to their success. Without it, the possibility of leading a successful, productive life decreases.
Teaching magic tricks in the context of an educational setting or activity can allow students to experience successes as well as change the way they believe others perceive them and help them with social acceptance. It can aid in the pursuit of self-actualization. Research has proven that self-esteem indexes improve dramatically when students learn a skill that others have not acquired. Frith and Walker (1983) found that magic has a special appeal because it gives students a chance to do something that cannot be equaled by their peers.
Hocus Focus is a student-centered, experiential-based educational approach that utilizes the art of magic (magic tricks) in the context of empowering an empathetic, professional educator/student relationship with the fundamental goal of student growth and development. It is a systematic approach by which students learn to focus and accomplish specific goals and objectives by learning magic tricks – simple tricks at first and then more complex tricks as they progress – and then exploring the benefits of each one.
Most importantly, Hocus Focus is fun! The activities combine education and imagination to help children improve their abilities in planning, sequencing, organizing tasks and movements, fine motor skills, gross motor function/coordination, concentration, memory skills, communication, social behaviors, and so much more!
Medical Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not disregard professional medical or educational advice; nor should you delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Hocus Focus, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on the information on this website.