"How To Choose a Volunteer"

Who wants to help with a magic trick?

There are all sorts of ways of phrasing that but generally it's somewhere in between I need a helper to who wants to help.

With children, it's really ok to spell out everything you are doing. "I'm going to make this handkerchief disappear" It works with children, they see a picture of an apple and the word apple is written above, that's the way the brain works.

Here's a little hint, don't pick the screaming, jumping up and down child. Do you really think they are going to come up with you and be any different. I also hate the idea of rewarding behavior like this. It means all the kids will try harder and be louder to get your attention. It's a pretty easy way to lose control.

Imagine you were in a preschool class and you wanted to choose the child to change the date on the calendar. You would choose a well behaved but excited child. The kid jumping up and down would knock the calendar off the wall.

If a child changes their mind, no big deal, if they come up then change their mind. Have everyone applaude them for being the bravest child there.

Choosing a volunteer is trusting your instincts. I trust eye contact a lot and body language. They are looking at me and they are in control but excited.

There are routines that will work better with boys than girls. Physical stuff or gross humor tends to work better if you do it with boys.

And just to let you know. As long as I've been doing this, I still sometimes choose the wrong volunteer. No one is immune, that's what's fun about live entertainment.