Balls, Sticks and Other Tricks: An Investigation into the Benefits of Teaching Juggling Apparatus in Schools.

Juggling apparatus, specifically juggling balls, diabolo, devil sticks, twirling poi and similar equipment have a deep anthropological background and exemplify the human capacity for play. Recently, juggling arts have increased in popularity due to the acknowledgement of their value. There is a broad range of benefits associated with the practice of these apparatus in curriculum, extending from the intellectual and physical development of students to the emotional and social aspects of physical education.

The skills of juggling arts today have their roots deep in the indigenous traditions of a multitude of cultures. From their distant origins, traced as far back as Egypt 4,000 years ago, skilled apparatus practices evolved worldwide and have culminated, particularly in the last two centuries, to produce what the modern institutions know commonly as juggling. Recently, juggling arts have been increasing in popularity and academic attention, as the value of these activities is becoming further understood.

The process of learning juggling apparatus is not restricted to the perfection of performing one particular task, but related to many aspects of development and interaction, especially in the education of children. Our programs use a variety of apparatus such as flow, juggling equipment like juggling balls, diabolo, devil sticks, twirling poi and similar instruments. The practice of these apparatus is known by various names, we refer to the practice as skill-play.

Skill-play, when integrated into curricular and extra-curricular activities, provides a comprehensive range of benefits and tangible positive effects for school students, complimenting all endeavours throughout development – academic, physical, social and personal. Intellectually, skill-play develops fundamental cognition as well as academic appreciation, ability and performance. It also provides physiological benefits, such as fitness, ambidexterity, coordination and physical awareness.

Psychological benefits include development in dual brain activity, and anatomical development in specific regions of the brain. Skill-play activities are a socially equal and inclusive alternative to conventional competitive sport for students of all backgrounds and experience. It develops trust, respect, communication and cooperation within and around the group. Skill-play also has various positive effects for students with learning difficulties, behavioural problems and physical disabilities.

It stimulates personal and emotional development through improvements in self-confidence and self-esteem, without any negative stigma attached to failure. New skills are cumulatively and continually reinforced through perpetual encouragement, thus, students inevitably achieve and succeed. These benefits provide a strong case for inclusion of skill-play as a curricular and extracurricular activity over the existing long queue of physical education and classroom options.