B. Program Information
I. Program Overview
• Title of continuing education program:
Laughing Matters, invite laughter into your life
2. Program date(s):
3. Program location(s):
4. Who is the target audience for your program?
5. Targeted social work practice levels:
(x) Advanced practitioner
(x) Intermediate practitioner
( x) Beginning practitioner
6. Provide a brief program description.
Laughing Matters will provide the participants a general understanding of the health benefits of laughter and how to incorporate laughter into their work with clients, families and co-workers. This interactive session incorporates laughing, chanting, singing, dancing, meditation and positive affirmations instilling joy and positive energy.
• Include the exact schedule of the program’s instructional hours only, outlining the dates, times, sequence of topics and instructors. Please type the information in the space below.
a. Participants introduces themselves by stating their name their favorite happy or inspiring song and laugh 5 min.
b. Participants take part in laughing exercises 45 min
c. Questions and answers 10 min
8. Sixty (60) minutes of actual instruction time equals one continuing education hour. Please indicate the total number of continuing education contact hours requested.
1
*Total should be calculated by adding the whole and half numbers of instructional hours only.
II. Instructional Method(s) Utilized During Program. Check all that apply.
(x) Lecture via workshop/seminar
(x) Case presentation
(x) Discussion groups
(x) Audio/Visual
(x) Other (Specify) group participation
III. Course Objectives
In reviewing your application, The Collaborative will be looking for learning objectives that have the following characteristics: (1) the specified action by the learners must be observable; (2) the specified action by the learners must be measurable; and (3) the specified action must be done by the learners.
1. List three 3 learning objectives for the program:
• Participants will be able to lead 1-3 laughing exercises
• Participants will be able to develop 1-3 laughing exercises
• Participants will be able to list 1-3 inspiring / happy songs
IV. Course Content
1. Describe how program content both enhances clinical and/or macro social work practice and reflects one or more current:
• Theories and concepts of human behavior in the social environment
• Social work practice knowledge and skills
• Social work research, programs, evaluation or practice evaluation
• Social work agency management or administration
• Development, evaluation and/or implementation of social policy
• Social work generalist practice
• Social work clinical practice
• Social work macro practice
• Diversity and social justice
• Social work ethics and/or standards of professional practice
• Other (explain):
Benefits of laughter:
• Strengthens the immune system
• Protects the heart
• Improves brain functioning
• Feels good
• Infectious
• Exercises the diaphragm and stomach muscles
• Connects one to others
• Stops a power struggle
• Helps with symptoms of pain
2. Include the following information in the space below:
• Syllabus or course outline
• Provide no less than three 3 books or articles of reference from the bibliography
• Kataria, M. Laugh For No Reason Madhuri International 2005
• Goodheart, A. Laughter Therapy, How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Really Isn’t Funny Less Stress Press1994
• Robinson, V. Humor and the Health Professions: The Therapeutic Use of Humor in Health Care Slack Incorporated 1990
• Wesburg,N. Hope Laughter and Humor in Residents and Staff at an Assisted Living Facility,
Journal of Mental Health Counseling, Volume 25, Number 1, Jan. 2003
• www.webmed.com, search humor therapy
• Cousins, N. Anatomy of an Illness W.W.Norton & Company 1979
C. Instructor(s)
1. Instructors’ Information
Name(s): Sandta Boris-Berkowitz Phone: 617.877.7570 or 617.735.0602
Email: sandy@laughingmatters.biz Degree & Year: M.ED 1977
Current Position: Professional Speaker, Laughing Facilitator
Relevant Experience: (Include academic training, professional certification and/or licensure, and appropriate professional experience.)
Certified Laughing Yoga Leader, 2008 Dr. Kataria’s School of Laughter Yoga
Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor
Master Degree in Education Boston College
Teacher of blind and deafblind students at Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, Ma
Education Coordinator Springwell, Watertown, Ma, agency serving older adults
Sandra has presented Laughing Matters seminars to the following groups
Social Workers
Nurses
Assisted Living and Nursing Home residents and staff
Family Caregivers
Professional Caregivers
Schools and University
Social and Civic Groups
