Comedy at Hamptons School helps kids bond, deal with laughter

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Even on the darkest of days, the human spirit can find hope through laughter.

That's a life lesson third-graders at Southampton Primary School learned at a young age last term when they took part in a two-week program aimed at teaching both pupils and teachers 'a few tricks of the comedy trade' . The program was especially critical at a time when children around the world are struggling with the mental health and emotional effects of the pandemic, educators said.

The program, created by Dr. Bernie Fushpan, founder of the New York Hysterical Society, and Lois Beekman, licensed prevention instructor, focuses on the physical and psychological benefits of laughter. Because the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine,” is true. techniques for effective delivery; that comedy is meant to find humor in life situations — not to make fun of others. and how to make impersonators and animals do “silly things,” they said.

The four-session program culminated in a 'laugh' where each class and their teachers performed 'pieces' they had developed and the whole group took part in impersonations.

“The goal is to use comedy to help engage kids and teachers,” Beekman said, adding that the program aligns with New York State's social-emotional learning, communication and career standards for grades 3 and 4. .

Furshpan talked about why to bring. Comedy for kids was so deeply satisfying.

“I feel like I'm enlightening others with life skills to give them opportunities and choices that include positive outcomes and better social conditions,” she said.

Comedy, he added, allows children to creatively process their frustrations in a different way and show others how they deal with stressful situations.

Laughter also helps improve relationships within families. “Hopefully their family members will learn something from them too – to make light of themselves and others and deal with tense situations in a more creative way,” he said.

The program also benefits teachers by showing them that children are “inherently creative and funny and to handle them with a less sharp edge — to help them bond with their children using humor,” Furshpan said.

Comedy helps kids interact with their friends, helping them realize they're in control of their emotions and know how to have fun with all kinds of situations, she said.

The lessons taught about humor have much more meaning than just jokes or jokes, Furshpan said. Comedy helps students grow as individuals and understand and empathize with the pain of others by acknowledging their fears and frustrations, she said. Also, he added, comedy gives kids a way to express those feelings in a way that isn't overwhelming but instead, filled with the joy of humor.

Milena Sandoval, a social worker at Southampton Elementary School, said the comedy class gave a platform to students who enjoy jokes and laughter. “It also gave an outlet for those students who needed a place to relax and enjoy some structured humor,” he said.

Added Lois Shapiro, former director of behavioral services, New York State Office of Children and Family Services: “Humor helps reduce stress and can boost mood. This program teaches kids how to use humor to connect with others in a positive and engaging way Learning to present entertaining material in a public forum can enhance creativity, promote a positive self-image and help the young person gain insight into everyday events and interactions,” he said . “Congratulations to the developers of the program and congratulations to the lucky kids who got the program.”

Kirsten Lonnie, executive director of SCCC, said the organization piloted the comedy classes for kids with Furshpan and Lois Oliveira of the NY Hysterical Society. The classes, he said, align with SCC's emphasis on offering quality education and programming related to the performing arts to the community.

“We began offering the program to children in mid-2020, first by Zoom and then in person. The lessons were developed to meet education standards for social emotional learning, communication and career education. Research supports the statement that “laughter it's the best medicine,” Loni said. “In just a few weeks, kids learn about comedy, develop their own jokes, practice public speaking, and learn how to use humor to reduce stress and tension with friends and at home with family.”

Lonnie said SCCC has been praised by mental health professionals, teachers, families and children for making the program available.

“The fees are low and we offer full and partial scholarships for the program to suit students aged 8 to 13 and 14 to 17,” he said.

Looking ahead, as a result of the success of the Southampton Elementary School program, Furshpan and Beekman, in coordination with SCCC, will conduct a bi-weekly Zoom class with children who have attended the core program for a series of live performances in targeted community centers for older adults and special needs groups to be held in late spring.

In addition, a three-week program will be offered at area schools this spring with children and their teachers — and two week-long summer comedy camps will be offered at SCC. One session will be for 8 to 10 year olds and a second one for 11 to 14 year olds. Both will culminate with live and Zoom performances throughout the summer.

Immersed lessons are lifelong.

School counselor Gwendolen Leible-Arnzen said she's heard kids tell their parents all about “how” to tell a joke, what's funny — and most importantly, that they love that their teachers are learning with them.

“One parent told me that his child was excited at the table, sharing the details of the class that day. This was such an amazing program given the mental health of children today. To see the teachers engage with their students and to laughing together is really priceless,” she said.

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