Our 2004 Arts Council funded pilot research project tested the effects of learning circus skills on the spelling, handwriting, fine motor skills and self esteem of special educational needs children (SEN) aged nine to twelve years. The children had specific learning difficulties, namely their literacy and numeracy skills.

They received twelve hourly sessions spread over six months and were required to do juggling/ balancing “homework” between sessions.

Educational psychologist Linda Falkner found two statistically significant results. The average improvement in reading accuracy for the experimental group was nine months, whilst the control group improved by 2.72 months.

The reading speed of the experimental group improved by 63%, in comparison with 5% in the control group. A copy of the report is available on request.

 
Our 2006 educational research project was funded by the Primary Strategy Learning Network. We studied the effects of coordination exercises which involved crossing the mid line and impacted on children’s learning, concentration and self esteem, with particular reference to improving mathematical skills.

This educational research project covered 600 mixed ability pupils across the infant/junior range and involved children from years 1 and 5. Steve Griffin was elected by the head teachers to produce an independent report. The report stated that the cross lateral (crossing the mid line) component of the activities was particularly significant. It made use of the physical exercises to stimulate the left and right brain communications, thus helping the brain to be more integrated.

Teachers are continuing to use the exercises from the project for PE and brain gym activities. The report stated “100% of pupils were highly engaged. There was significant improvement in the children’s coordination, concentration, self esteem and academic learning”. A copy of the assessment is available on request.
2007/2008 We are currently carrying out a study on “The Impact of Cross Lateral, Kinaesthetic Exercise on Literacy and Self Esteem in Year 3 Pupils”, which we have named the “Creative Curriculum Development Project”.

This Arts Council funded educational research project started in September 2007 and will be completed in March 2008. The research is being undertaken by Ruth Gwernan-Jones, third year PhD student researching dyslexia, supported by Professor Robert Burden of Exeter University, a specialist in dyslexia and related issues. A fully validated, peer reviewed research paper will be available from July 2008.

 

Background to the Research The “Cerebella Deficit” hypothesis (CD) is the theory underpinning our research projects. CD proposes that difficulties often experienced by dyslexic people, for example, difficulties with reading and writing and lack of coordination, stem from minor deficits in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates the running of the rest of the brain, including both movement and cognition. This is a relatively new theory regarding the basis for dyslexia. Our research is therefore timely, as well as important.

The “No to failure” project, based on the Phonological Processing Deficit” hypothesis (PPD), proposes that dyslexia is the result of difficulties in establishing sound symbol correspondences between letters and the sound they represent. Intervention based on developing sub skills in reading, like the “No to failure” programme, support reading acquisition. However, if the causal basis for the difficulties lies elsewhere, intervention addressing coordination more directly, through programmes, devised by Circus Berzercus, will be more holistically supportive. The two forms of intervention would work well in a complementary fashion.

 

The Copy Cups programme is available now! This is the programme evaluated by the “Creative Curriculum Development Project”, which is based on the findings from our two pilot studies, backed by the CD theory and research in attention.

“Cup stacking” has become a recognised and televised sport in America, with championships dominated by school aged children. We have used the sport as a springboard to create an entirely new set of exercises which cross the mid line and develop left and right co-ordination, sequencing and concentration skills that children really enjoy.

The DVD offers the complete teaching programme that can be used in the classroom with the help of an integrated white board. It was designed to be used over ten weeks, in three 20 minute sessions a week, with eight to nine year olds, but can be adapted and used with both KS1 and KS2.

To purchase a Copy Cups DVD contact Judith Sturman at admin@circusberzercus.co.uk or phone 01392 669873.