Teaching through magic tricks

Is there more to the rope trick than an amusing diversion? Plenty, according to English-language teacher and illusionist Stuart Palm. Easily identifiable by his distinctive curling moustache, the Florida native watches closely as his young charge attempts the first exercise for the day.

Isaac Cheng Yan-shek, six, holds up a piece of soft rope in the middle, the two ends drooping on each side, and carefully rubs it with his fingers. Then, presto! As if held up by mysterious forces, the string turns into a stiff rod. Still, Isaac can do better and Palm patiently explains how he can improve on the trick.

Welcome to M.A.G.I.C. class, the acronym being short for Mastery of Attentiveness, Growth, Imagination, Confidence. Presented by Smarticle Creative Learning centre in Wan Chai, it's a series of lessons infused with tricks "to get kids at a young age to be able to stand in front of a room to present something", Palm says.

"The best way to do that is to teach them something they enjoy showing to people. If they're having fun, they own the experience. If kids are not having fun, they're not going to commit themselves. They're not going to practice or learn. Fun generates the ability and the focus.

"It also shows them a way to break the ice. Later in life they've learned the skills that will allow them to deal with such social situations," he says.

The children begin by mastering small tricks using everyday objects such as paper clips or simple gestures such as snapping their fingers that help develop physical dexterity before they move on to longer, more complicated tricks.