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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
I’ve been performing for children and adults for over 50 years. I usually never accept bookings for children under five, because they are a different breed altogether. But I accepted one because one of my agents called and I had the date free. It was a day-care with about 10-15 four and five-year-olds.
The show went well and both the kids and the staff really enjoyed it. But I had absolutely no control over the kids. They stormed the stage repeatedly, talked among themselves, and simply would not stay seated. Though I managed to prevent a total take-over, those kids were way more than a handful. In the past, I’ve been complimented for my ability to control youngsters (5-10 year-olds), both in small groups and even in theaters with 600 to 1000 of the little beasties. But four and five-year-olds are something else. Is there any really good material on audience control for this age group? Does anyone have any suggestions about how to keep them at bay? Any help is appreciated. PS: Yes, I realize the overlap in the age groups I mentioned, but five-year-olds, mixed with older kids act differently that five-year-olds mixed with younger kids. :o) |
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
Keep them laughing non-stop but you might need some quieter moments mixed in to keep things from getting out of hand, fast transitions, no long explanations of tricks, be very interactive, keep them all involved, used positive rewards such as picking volunteers who are sitting criss cross and not shouting out, etc. It takes experience to get the feel for how to handle it and what works, but I bet you'll get good at it if you keep doing it. Also, maybe you just had an extra hyper group that time.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
Hawkan Elite user Sweden 495 Posts |
What Dan said.
HÃ¥kan |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Hi,
you need things they find funny and can join in with so lots of times for "magical words" and volunteers helping you. Cut out any long patter and look for visual humour instead. I now use a dog arm puppet as my side-kick and he runs most of the show for this age. I also try to keep shows shorter. I learnt a lot from dvds / lectures by David Ginn (USA) and Terry Herbert (UK). Normal under-5 show is quick warm-up learn the magic words routine to use the magic word one volunteer routine (eg egg bag) multi-volunteer (eg change bag caterpillar to butterfly) magic painting (4 volunteers wearing hats or glasses etc) production of dog puppet from a square circle et al two routines using dog arm puppet final production of sweets or trading cards (some pre-schools ate sweets being given out as it breaks their healthy eating policy.)
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
The Great Zucchini specializes in younger audiences and is exceptionally qualified at demonstrating what works well with the very young audiences. His DVD would be a great resource.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I usually am pretty good with this age group.
They show up a lot at summer library shows and of course at day care. One humbling experienced happened about 15 years ago. A young man jumped up and decided to get a drink from the water fountain. Before I knew it 5 more were in line for a drink. Can you guess who was 6th in line?
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Michael, I sent you a PM ...
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Michael, I sent you a PM ...
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Michael, I sent you a PM ...
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Thank you gentlemen. I'll give your generous advice a great deal of thought.
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
My apologies for the triple post! Don't know why that happens.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
For triple the fun.....add some musical bits for your Preschool Kids.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
noland Veteran user 350 Posts |
There are, of course, all kinds of techniques for controlling young children, and all of the ones mentioned in this thread are good. I'm surprised the staff allowed the kids to repeatedly rush up. My experience in day cares and summer camps, is that the staff are usually very good at controlling unruly or undesired behavior, and usually are very willing to intervene (unlike at birthday parties, for example, where there may be laxer rules and less of a willingness by parents to step in). I'm wondering if maybe you're not communicating your expectations to the staff. When I perform, I put down a couple of orange cones to divide the performer's area from the audience, and I mention a few rules during my warm-up, including the one about sitting "legs criss-crossed, applesauce." I think that that, together with how I handle the kids, makes it clear to the staff what I expect of my audience, and the staff usually handles problem behavior from the kids.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I will be field testing again on Thursday.
Another rare outside program. This time it's in an outside pavillion, adjacent to a public library.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
For me this has been a rare incidence. Perhaps the teachers at the preschool where you were performing are lax in discipline. I think this says way more about the school than your ability to handle the kids. Book a few more and get back with us.
Jim |
AlwisMS New user 5 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 2, 2015, danfreed wrote: Hello, I am looking at 2 preschools at the moment one in small hands and the other is called international pre-school plus both on the Asian side of Istanbul near Bagdat Cd. If anyone has any experience of these ten please offer me some advice on which would be the better option for my English speaking children. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
My experience with international audiences has been very positive.
This includes pre- school to performances at college at International Student Affairs Offices/Departments for faculty & students. Training in puppetry, movement, dance, mime and silent comedy was as crucial as my magical studies. Harris Still too old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Russo Inner circle So.California / Centl.Florida / retired Florida 1165 Posts |
Did a lot of programs for Japanese children in Fort lee, New Jersey - They taught ME 'hello'-'good afternoon'- 'thank you' - when I used the language- the Parents appreciated it (even tip wi$e) and the children GIGGLed GIGGLed-with plenty of 'call backs' & recomendations.
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AlwisMS New user 5 Posts |
Hello,
Thanks for the reply. |
AlwisMS New user 5 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 7, 2015, noland wrote: Hello, I worry that my 3-year-old, Sophie, has a split personality. At school, she cleans up her toys, puts on her shoes, and is entirely self-sufficient at potty time. At home, she whines whenever I ask her to pick up anything, insists I join her in the bathroom whenever she has to go, and lately has started demanding that I spoon-feed her dinner. Clearly, her teacher knows something I don't. |
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