A pilot study conducted by Health Psychology Research has revealed that virtual summer magic camps may have the ability to increase self-esteem in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD is “characterized by deficits in attention skills, staying on task, or being organized.”
This neurodevelopmental disorder, which is common in children and adolescents, can affect academic performance in school as well as other daily activities.
Children affected by this disorder also report feelings of low self-esteem due to their frequent academic challenges.
The performing art of magic has been shown to increase self-esteem when used therapeutically. So, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a virtual summer magic camp in children specifically affected by ADHD.
The study comprised six children, ages eight to fourteen, who “participated in a virtual magic camp program for children with disabilities.”
For four consecutive weeks, children attended the camp on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for forty-five minutes.
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Before the camp, participants received a magic kit that included a deck of cards, paper clips, rubber bands, rope, a magic wand, and more.
The camp itself involved “intensive one-on-one individual coaching sessions to ensure campers’ master of each trick.”
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At the end of each week, the children were able to show off their learned magic tricks as well as participate in organized social activities.
Before the camp began and after its completion, the children completed self-esteem assessments.
The children and their parents were also “individually interviewed to explore their camp experience at the post-camp data point.”
The study’s finding concluded that “children with ADHD who participate in learning magic tricks may experience enhanced self-esteem; however, there are several factors integrated into the process of learning magic tricks that may contribute to the enhancement of the participants’ self-esteem.”
For example, the one-on-one interaction between the participants and instructors, praise, and the social group activities.
The study also noted that “Since simple magic tricks are not difficult to learn, health care providers and teachers can quickly learn some of these tricks and incorporate simple magic tricks and integrate them into the client’s program or student’s curriculum for psychosocial skills training in children with ADHD.”
In other words- even if you cannot find a magic program or club for your child- merely using simple magic tricks at the doctor, at school, or in your own home, can create a welcoming environment while encouraging your child to engage socially.