Free Webinar for Teachers: Power of Humor in the Classroom

In these stressful times, for young people, the use of humor, as an art form or as a coping mechanism, can transform kids into confident, witty, and sensitive human beings.    

The curriculum was developed by Dr. Bernie Furshpan, Marketing Expert and Executive Director of The NY Hysterical Society, with help from Lois Oliveira, Co-Developer of Keeping Every Child Safe, an evidence-based Parenting Program, Communications Expert and the former Co-Director of The New York State Project To Implement Career Education.    

They conduct the classes with help from professional comedians, who share their skills, talents, and experience with the kids.   

As has been stressed in prestigious medical publications as well as the NY Times, Forbes, CNN, and other national media, it is true… “LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!”  

Learning stand-up comedy and humor skills provide kids with: 

• Confidence building and overcoming stage fright 
• Character building  
• How to know what, when, where, and how to make something funny 
• Public speaking and writing skills that apply to various careers and occupational skills 
• Impromptu speaking skills; quick, think-on-your-feet, wit 
• Acting and performing techniques   

Comedy Producer, Dr. Bernie Furshpan, is the lead instructor and is joined by working comics who give their feedback in several of the classes.  

Policies: 

• Students are urged to participate in each class. 
• Students will be required to be respectful to each other. 
• Students will be encouraged to be creative and sometimes, silly. 
• All material and video samples used in this program are PG-13 rated. 
• We avoid matters of racism, vulgarity and what is generally considered to be offensive.  
• Includes a digital manual via email for printing prior to classes.  There are homework assignments included.   

Classes Cover 

• History of Humor and Laughter 
• Improvisational Exercises 
• Different styles of comedy and samples 
• Glossary of Terms  
• Comedy writing and delivery skills 
• How to use humor in communications and interpersonal relationships  

Each multi-week session culminates in a performance by the kids and established comedians. Classes are conducted on Zoom. The graduates receive a Certificate of Program Completion. 

At a time when children across the board are struggling with the mental health and emotional impacts of the pandemic, educators appreciate and agree that some tricks of the comedy trade is extremely helpful. The program was created by Dr. Bernie Fushpan, founder of the New York Hysterical Society, and Lois Beekman, licensed prevention trainer, and is invaluable to kids in learning creative coping skills and humor to help heal their interiors.   So, now is the time to consider using out-of-the-box programs, such as our Comedy Classes for Kids, at your school, to help your students re-surface from this lengthy pandemic in a healthy and fun way.  Our researched and concise program teaches kids how to use humor to connect to others in a positive way. In just a few sessions we are able to help children build confidence and the ability to speak in public, use humor to release tension and cope with stressful moments, and understand that being funny is about situations and not making fun of a specific person.  In creating our hugely successful program, we had guidance from school counselors and worked to meet the NY State Standards for Social-Emotional Learning, Communications, and Career Education. We developed it in partnership with the Southampton Cultural Center, a non-profit organization whose mission focuses on offering quality education and programming to help people develop self-knowledge and understanding of others through the arts.   Pricing is designed to meet school counseling budgets and payments are made out to Southampton Cultural Center, a non-profit arts and education institution.

Please read this case study of one of our most recent projects. CLICK THIS LINK >