Education and personal development in the Middle East is taking on a new dimension, with the launch of The Jugglebox, an interactive, theatre-style teaching system for school children across the region.
The Jugglebox, based in Dubai, uses circus skills and comedy to teach positive lifestyle and attitudes, with lessons based on the social and personal development criteria of the region’s education system. The brainchild of the company’s Chairman, Ian McKellar, whose 30 years’ experience in motivational speaking and educational theatre overseas prompted him to create this new “edu-tainment” concept in the UAE.
Mr. Ian Mckellar, The founder of this creative concept the and main performer in all Jugglebox shows, said: “There is immense power in presenting circus skills to entertain while educating, because positive life skill messages presented visually are much more easily remembered and acknowledged by the audience. Circus-style teaching has already proved its worth in Australia and Canada, and now students across the UAE can benefit from this novel learning system, too.”
Mr. Mckellar continues, “I have carefully designed two main shows for primary students called The Healthy Chef Show & Mr Dropsy’s Feelgood Circus; additionally I didn’t forget the teenagers and the sensitivity of this age Juggling Your Priorities Show focuses on senior students, encouraging positive esteem from an early age by teaching them how to set and achieve personal goals within their own level of ability”.
Schools can choose from three Jugglebox stage shows, covering healthy eating and nutrition, behavioural skills and personal goals and visions. All shows present the messages with a high level of circus skills and comedy, making the format memorable as well as entertaining.
Maz Anastas, a qualified teacher and General Manager of The Jugglebox, said: “The Jugglebox brings a new approach to education by using a fun, entertaining and memorable format to teach youngsters serious, life-enhancing issues that they can carry forward into their adult life.
“Of course, we are also keen to work with schools, teachers and parents to further develop our programmes to ensure they bring maximum value to education in the region. We encourage their suggestions and feedback.”
The Jugglebox programmes are open to all educational establishments in the UAE and Middle East.
