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I got offered a job teaching magic to 6 -11 year olds. I'm up in the air about it. Do I do it? I live in LA so I figure it just the "cool thing to do now", so I don't really want to teach it. I don't think people respect magic anymore. Please, Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

BN

Firstly, I had to move this out of 'About that Magician' as that section is for discussion of known magicians and their activities. Secondly, it's usual for folks to post some kind of Intro in the Introductions Section first - that way we can get to know a bit about you and make suitable responses. Over to you !

why not do it? There's no need to show them complex secrets, just a couple of nice and simple self workers will keep kids that age happy for ages

Or another approach could be to teach them fundamental sleights and leave it up to them to apply them to effects and routines. That way, it gets kids thinking laterally, being creative, and coming up with magic of their own.

Teach what you're comfortable to teach without giving away commercial tricks. As suggested, this will mean sticking to the basics for some time as there is more than enough to fill time, and that give you more than enough time to sort out who is and who isn't serious about taking things further.

On reading this post I was reminded of the Slydini review that I recently posted and how he selected and taught his students and the life long dedication to magic that they have since given in return.

Had he not taken this course then who knows how many magicians the world would have been deprived of.

I live in LA so I figure it just the "cool thing to do now", so I don't really want to teach it. I don't think people respect magic anymore.

I agree, I think that the respect and reverence has all but faded out of magic. Very few "magicians" have any clue as to the history of this art, where it came from or even who Slydini (mentioned above) was amongst other very important historical figures of this art.

And therein lies the reason that you should do this. Assuming that you honestly have the background to teach these young folks, then you should do it. Give the art back it's respect. Teach them the history along side of teaching them neat stuff that they can show mom and dad.

Revive the respect that is so lacking. Rather than lament the sad state of affairs that the magic community is in, do something about it - you've been given the opportunity, so don't let it pass.

Mike.

bennorthenor wrote:I got offered a job teaching magic to 6 -11 year olds. I'm up in the air about it. Do I do it? I live in LA so I figure it just the "cool thing to do now", so I don't really want to teach it. I don't think people respect magic anymore. Please, Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

BN

dat8962 wrote:Teach what you're comfortable to teach without giving away commercial tricks.

Michael Jay wrote:Give the art back it's respect........Revive the respect that is so lacking. Rather than lament the sad state of affairs that the magic community is in, do something about it - you've been given the opportunity, so don't let it pass

Sadly none of the above advice seems to have been taken to heart. I received this PM:

bennorthenor wrote:I went to ellusionist.com and Warning is not available anymore because some retard got hurt and his mommy wrote a letter... Please please please help me learn this BEAUTIFUL effect... Please. Thanks.

Ben

As regular members will know, this is totally against the TM policy of seeking/disclosing secrets and it's also a misuse of the PM facility to spam other members.

Bye, bye Ben, have a nice life.

Mandrake wrote:
Sadly none of the above advice seems to have been taken to heart. I received this PM:

bennorthenor wrote:I went to ellusionist.com and Warning is not available anymore because some retard got hurt and his mommy wrote a letter... Please please please help me learn this BEAUTIFUL effect... Please. Thanks.

Ben

As regular members will know, this is totally against the TM policy of seeking/disclosing secrets and it's also a misuse of the PM facility to spam other members.

Bye, bye Ben, have a nice life.

I hope you wernt thinking about teaching them this one anyway! No one knows if the trick causes damage to your body and at 6 years old, they shouldnt be told to play with fire effects or matches!

I got exacty the same PM!!

I teach classes regularly at the local brick and mortar magic shop here in El Paso. Many of the students are in the 6-12 year old range and do an excellent job. Being young is a great time to get into magic, my interest began at age 3 and I got my first magic kit at 6. I have found it extremely rewarding. These kids work very hard, and in teaching them I get a far better understanding of my own magic. In fact while teaching them out to routine, I've come up with some great routine ideas. When one of you students one day wins the FISM Grand Prix, you might even smile a little.