© Piros Orr
In our experience through ClowNexus, people with dementia and autistic children can both enjoy art because it engages their senses, lets them express themselves without words, gives them a sense of structure and freedom, and helps them remember and share emotions. Art is a way for us all to connect and communicate.
Intention: Propose familiar activities that foster unity.
The clowns embody various animals, encouraging participants to use their bodies and join in the role-play.
This activity trains children to recognise the animals represented, promotes physical activity, and facilitates emotional expression in a fun and appropriate manner.
Intention: Respond to the child’s invitation for physical contact, enhancing body awareness and self-awareness through various movements and games.
Clowns accept requested hugs, lifts, or touches and transform them into playful games.
For example, a lift may become an airplane ride, an arm or leg can serve as a road for toy cars or animals, and a hug can lead to a dance. Props, such as a Pilates ball or an elastic band, can be integrated.
It is crucial to adapt the intensity of physical contact based on the child’s sensitivity to touch, whether they are hypersensitive or hyposensitive. Context & Pre-condition: This activity requires self-awareness and interpersonal perception. Clarity in communication and understanding the child’s needs is essential.
Intention: Connect and play using familiar props, imbuing them with new meaning and purpose. This activity allows children to be passive observers or active participants.
Explore the sensation of wind using songs, sounds, and props that simulate wind (e.g., fans, fabric, ventilators). Engage in activities like flying in the wind (using leaves, fabric, feathers), imitating the wind (with gymnastic ribbons), and transform it into a participatory performance.
Two potential settings: 1. Children sitting in a semicircle, awaiting the activity to commence. 2. Invading their space during an ongoing activity to capture their attention. The goal is to engage them in the activity offered.
Intention: Create a structured entrance that establishes an instant, poetic, playful connection. It serves to prepare a group of children for collective activities.
Enter the space where the children are with a suitcase, accompanied by a “hello song.”
The suitcase contains items needed to sow the seeds of wonder that will blossom into joyful play.
The suitcase or a similar container generates curiosity and signals that the day will be filled with more surprises and excitement.
It motivates children to actively participate in the play. Initially, the suitcase can serve as the primary focus, as children are intrigued by its sound and texture, exploring and attempting to open it. It unifies the entire group and the space in which the children gather.
(Note: Earth = golden fabric; Seed = a music egg; a bucket, bubbles = water; Sun = a yellow scarf)
Intention: Awaken interest, group connection
Two clowns enter with lively music and a mysterious suitcase, making the children very curious..
They open the suitcase and inside there’s an instrument. They play with it a little and then put it back in the case.
Upon arrival, the idea is to get the children interested in the mysterious content of the suitcase.
There is a surprise in there, that needs to be discovered together as a group. .
The clowns initiate a delightful ritual, knocking on the suitcase, asking if it’s ready to reveal its secrets.
The suitcase playfully resists, presenting various tasks like knocking five times, cleaning it with a scarf, blowing on it, or singing a melody.
Finally, with a sense of magic, the suitcase opens, revealing a treasure – the instruments. Inside are many instruments that can then be explored and played with.
Some children join the group, while others explore independently, and a few receive assistance from the staff.
It’s a joyful, interactive experience that fosters both group cohesion and individual expression.
It can be less stressful if every child is focused on their own activity, instead of making them wait for an activity to start.
Intention: Connecting with a group of children, creating a safe atmosphere before starting other activities
A group of children sit in a half-circle. Two clowns approach, one playing music, the other using an object like a scarf to highlight the movements and attract attention.
They start singing the childrens’ names one by one. This helps to establish a safe and familiar space before doing more activities together..
Children should be informed in advance about the clowns/artists’ visit.
It also helps if children are wearing name tags on their chests or next to their chair to make the singing process smooth, ask teachers/parents for help with this.
Consider every encounter with each child as a celebration of their name and who they are.
Intention: Connecting to the child’s world finding a common point.
The clowns carefully observe and gradually initiate a similar movement using one specific body part.
They craft a playful game around this movement and redirect the audience’s attention elsewhere.
Mirroring is a delicate activity that can foster a sense of security, but it also requires considerable time and a mindful approach.
It’s important to be patient and attuned to the child’s cues. Once the child senses your genuine intention without any ulterior motives, you can slowly begin the mirroring process.
