Young magicians in kindergarten: Skill development through performing magic tricks

• Published in: Theory into practice Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 155 - 165
• Main Author: Kovács, Ivett Judit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Columbus Routledge 03.04.2023; Ohio State University, College of Education
• Subjects: Attitudes; early childhood education; Education; Foreign Countries; Hungarian; Inclusion; inclusive developmental programs; Kindergarten; Learning Activities; magic program in kindergarten; Magic tricks in education; MiniMagic program; Preschool Children; Skill Development; Storytelling; Teaching Methods; Theory Practice Relationship; Hungary (Budapest)
• ISSN: 0040-5841; 1543-0421
• DOI: 10.1080/00405841.2023.2202130

Magic has been a very popular form of entertainment for thousands of years and the learning and developmental processes that take place during the process of practicing and performing the trick-are a precious phenomenon from an educational point of view. The MiniMagic kindergarten program was launched in September 2021 in a kindergarten in Józsefváros, Budapest (Hungary), in a district with a very diverse population that calls for an inclusive attitude and pedagogical methods to educate all the children successfully. The innovative program aims to develop skills and build community by integrating magic tricks into the curriculum. A well-known Hungarian magician teaches magic tricks appropriate for 4 to 6-year-old children with unanimous success. The program does not simply introduce tricks; he embeds them in storytelling sessions. This article presents how the theory about the educational values of magical tricks is turned into practice in a kindergarten showing the educational values and developmental results. I complement the analysis of the theory and practice with recommendations for practitioners, explaining the ideal context and methods of implementation.