Academy of Fun – Let life be your playground
Interactive clown sessions for the Learning Disabled
Clown Class is presented by Dingle Fingle Aka ‘Steve the Clown’.
Many of the students Stephen Has worked with have severe autism, learning disabilities, epilepsy, behavioural problem, communication difficulties, sensory impairments and may exhibit challenging behavioural activities if frightened or confused.
Using pure clown, clowning skills, mime, magic, physical theatre, improvisational and expressive therapy the students are encouraged to interact playfully, join in learn and have fun.
The primary feature of the Clown Class is in the art of being in the now , like there is no yesterday and no tomorrow.
Students join in, often steering the class and it’s activities, so what happens depends upon the moment.
With these moments the clown acts on what his feeling and instinct tell him to do and shares this with his audience with humorous interpretation.
The clown is pure, unconcerned and unprejudiced, always paying attention to both individuals and the group as a whole whilst orchestrating the class and making humour of whatever happens. ‘Organic Houmour’ is what Stephen calls it
Every class is treated as a learning experience for everybody. There is no right or wrong.
The students gain confidence, find and explore their own abilities by participating in activities that are away from the immediate curriculum.
By encouraging bonding and self awareness amongst all who attend. The objective is to impart fun to the carers as well as the children attending.
Benefits include:
- Improvements to balance and hand –eye coordination
- Increased sensory acuity
- Sensorial stimulation and tenderness
- Being in the moment – Now!
- Learning different tricks and skills
- Energy through humour and laughter
- Released stress
- Engagement of empathy to others
- Instills confidence
What do my clients say about The Academy of Fun:
Steve comes highly recommended. His work with the young people within our school, some of whom are severely learning disabled, has been and continues to be invaluable to us over the last 2 years. His ability to engage the children and captivate even the most severely learning disabled child is exceptional, and his contribution to the enrichment of people’s lives is wonderful.
We have seen our young people grow in skills and confidence, as they learn through interactive and participative play with Steve. In his persona as Dingle Fingle, he uses his skills as a children’s entertainer in the employment expressive therapy, and he actively seeks responses from the children He promotes the development of hand eye coordination through juggling, balance and dexterity through the use of his monocycle, good fun with magic tricks, and much much more.
Stephen Mortimer Head of Care. April 2008.
What do the Carers say who have attended say:
Great Atmosphere
Good Fun
No Barriers all equal
Fun & Joyful
Tailor made for the individual, which helps that person achieve their potential in a relaxed and fun atmosphere
An enrichment of people’s lives
No other activity compares in stimulating the children so much.
If you are in need of my services please do get in touch. The Academy of Fun is a versatile module that can be tailored to your needs