THE smells and sounds of popcorn popping were all-pervasive when I popped in on Warehouse Circus’ Chifley premises on Sunday.

Found amid classes full of young people was artistic director Tom Davis, keen to talk up a new circus program for tiny tots.

It’s been funded by the Community Services Directorate to support children aged two to five experiencing developmental delays resulting from premature birth or other conditions and Davis is keen to get the word out.

The circus already has a program called “Tiny Tribes” for very small people and their parents – the philosophy behind that being, he says, that parents have to take their kids to activities but often don’t take part, so offered the chance, they’re happy to get in the space in the circus space.

It also helps adults  understand how to how to do acrobatics and balancing exercises safely and promotes good life skills, making the – the parents – less risk of common hip, injuries for instance.

Warehouse Circus has a trained expert on hand, Isaac Fletcher, who specialises in Circus for Disability.

Fletcher has contributed to the Melbourne University research at the basis of the new course, which proves that early intervention, using the diversity in activities, the inclusiveness and the appealing nature of circus, can contribute to children with special developmental needs.

The skills acquired in circus, including juggling, tumbling and balance exercises, Davis says, help with self-esteem and confidence and encourage “fun” teamwork and co-operation while also stimulating problem-solving abilities.

They haven’t actually started the new course yet, although the regular “Tiny Tribes” regular project continue apace.

Warehouse is  already running productive “Spin Out” classes for post-school kids with disabilities. Some of them are eventually subsumed into normal adult programs, but people with complex disabilities might need some help extra help and to that end, our trainer works with each individual.

Circus is of all the arts firms one of the most “person-intensive”, Davis says, so each child receives personalised attention and guidance from trainers.

Empowering Early Development circus classes, inquiries to programs@warehousecircus.org.au