Archive for the Category »Hospital Clown Training «
Developing a character, clown or family entertainer persona is an ongoing process, with many interconnected considerations. First and foremost, it must come from within. The very essence of ‘being’ must be firmly-rooted from somewhere. If not, the character is so wispy and thinly-veiled, it seems more like a tumbleweed than a believable being to have fun and share a lighter moment with, in reality.
Structure for the character and performance comes in developing skill sets, while increasing knowledge base and understanding of the medium, message and venue. This is accomplished with ongoing education through books, multimedia, programs and conferences. A broad spectrum is recommended for the greatest Big Picture View, but care should be taken so as not to become weighted down or confused by “information overload.” This condition is caused by piling on more and more great good learning, with the frequent side effect of inertia and missed opportunities.
Many sources of tremendous information abound, but a plan of action will help anyone who wants to learn more about our special work that looks like play, to grow, develop and be able to provide maximum positive impact.
Goal setting is recognized as an effective means to develop, effect change and accomplish great things. This same strategy should apply in growing, learning and further expanding a character as well as a performance.
As for new things to learn, mind-reeling possibilities are endless. Just thinking about them gives the sugar-buzz feel of a kid set loose in a candy shop! Begin making your plan by listing out the aspects or areas you would like to explore. Let your mind run freely — it is hard to contain creativity, afterall… and why would you? Resist the urge to limit yourself, thinking you could “never do” something, or it would for some reason seem “unreasonable.” In this step, you are simply brainstorming with yourself, and laying out lots of ideas to consider.
Next: Using your list
Now Available!
Just released, “There’s a Clown in My Soup” video is a ‘Best Practices’ EduTrainment Clown Rounds module especially for hospital clowns, caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers.
Presented to integrate universal concepts for performers in the healthcare venue, this program makes effective learning enjoyable in a fresh, fun and new, memorable way.
No more ‘talking heads’, drab, dull or boring training sessions with this program! Instead, a sugar-coated, humorous presentation of: 21 Key Questions Every Healthcare Family Entertainer should be able to answer…
Details are included for registering product purchase to receive “Clown Soup” Facilitator Guide, Participant Question Booklet and corresponding Answer Sheet for this training program.
Click on this link (here) for more information about this new ‘Best Practices’ EduTrainment Video for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns and Healthcare Family Entertainers…
Join us in Center Ring for this month’s AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show, as we spotlight one of the most versatile and all-round highly experienced Hospital or Caring Clowns you might be fortunate to get your funny bone tickled by!
Follow the Big Top spotlight to find AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show on Thursday, February 11th at 10AM PT/ Noon CT/1PM ET L-I-V-E, as host Becky “CarroTop Rainbo” Cortino interviews very special guest Kathy “Huggles” McLaughlin, Hospital/Caring Clown extraordinaire:
A clown since 1974 and actively performing in many venues, Kathy “Huggles” McLaughlin’s love is Caring Clowning. “Huggles” is a hospital clown entertainer frequently appearing in the healthcare venue for the last 12 years, and currently performing in 5 different hospitals. Kathy also lectures and teaches on the subject throughout the US, Canada, and at Clown Camp Wisconsin. “Huggles” joy-filled journey has also taken her to perform in Russia, Japan, Scotland, Mexico, Guatemala and a few other countries to visit children in hospitals and orphanages.
In this fun interview, Kathy shares her experiences and memorable clown adventures over these many years, and insights into what it takes to be a Hospital or Caring Clown. Got questions? Call-in or join the chat and text-in your questions during the show! Catch the show streaming L-I-V-E, or catch this show after the broadcast, from the archive.
Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Through Hospital Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers and Applied Humor Therapists takes Heart, Dedication and Training but NOT a degree or special certification.
Private Member-Only online Mentoring/Training for Hospital or Caring Clowns, Family Entertainers and Creative Arts Performers
This brand new Mentoring/Training Program is AVAILABLE Beginning OCTOBER 1, 2009!
This unique Member-Only Mentoring Training Program offers mentoring through training videos, audios and tried-and-true resource materials I have developed, written and actively use to train healthcare family entertainers and hospital clowns since 2004, all based upon my hands-on experience as a Hospital Clown and Applied Humor Therapist since 1997, in one of the oldest existing all-volunteer hospital clown/family entertainer groups.
In 8 consecutive training programs since 2004, I have trained 220 hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers in service at other healthcare facilities as well as my own group’s site, and those performing in other states and regions.
This unique Mentoring Training Program is presented for all levels of experience.
As a Member, this program is available to be viewed and listened to any time, allowing you the benefit of attending sessions on your own schedule from the comfort of your own computer for the length of your membership!
Your membership is for an entire year and is renewable, if you would like continued support. The membership fee includes all necessary materials and supplies, and is less than most one-time conference registrations, plus you have no travel expenses! (Less than 10-cents/day!)
MultiMedia Materials and fresh Resources are continually added to this program, in addition to the growing number of A Heart 4 Clowning series of books available for purchase, on this topic.
Save time – money – gas and benefit from this unique Member-Only Training Program!
The necessity of training goes far beyond knowing how to conduct oneself in a particular setting. The objectives of an effective healthcare family entertainer training program is to:
Build skills, thereby increasing performance ability.
Develop greater competency, and thereby confidence.
Increase each individual’s understanding of the realm within which healthcare performers entertain, while allowing them to gain a full view of this special work.
Assure the hosting healthcare facility of a degree of professionalism, understanding and respect for the performance environment.
The overall purpose of training hospital/caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers is to build a knowledge base for greater understanding of the art — the soil from which great things sprout, seeded by the True Clown’s Heart:
To offer hands-on experiential or physical tutelage, and practice, with an end-result, a product or something tangible that can be seen or in some way experienced.
It is important that the purpose of training be fully defined, clearly understood, and accepted by all parties involved, including the hosting healthcare facility. Training for healthcare venue performers is ongoing, so dedication and energy devoted to that end is necessary.
Often folks think it is an endearing idea to establish a hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer group. The mere thought of introducing others to the fascinating world of clowning and performing is exciting! But after the initial elation wears off, energies and imagination begins to wane. Following not too long afterward, the group often disbands. It’s a shame.
The purpose, rationale and necessity of training are not only to train, equip and prepare team members, but also to:
- Inspire creativity in developing routines, schticks, tricks, bits, and to improve!
- Encourage exploration of out-of-the-box thinking.
- Provide necessary skills sets and essential information.
- Fuel a true understanding of the venue, aspect and realm within which the team performs.
- Foster a better understanding of purpose for appearances and entertaining.
- Engender team effort in the process.
- Develop increased competency.
In addition to meeting facility requirements, there are many reasons a training program should be established and implemented on an ongoing basis for a hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer group. The rationale is closely linked to the determined purpose or desired goal, giving rise to the necessity of training.
There are 3 main types of training:
1. Required: Offered by the hosting healthcare facility, includes healthcare facility orientation, covering hand washing, HIPPA regulations, explanation of facility policies and procedures, relevant to this particular group.
2. Ongoing: With the goal of keeping the group current, competent and coming on Rounds! Time needs to be invested in dedicated individuals to help them make the best use of their own unique gifts and abilities.
3. Special: Like an ‘elective’ component in a training program, this may be offered to learn a skill, idea, more about a topic, a make-and-take item that enhances the learning experience, enlarges the territory of knowledge, and encourages creativity.
Training is critical, and key to be sure group members understand how to perform best in the healthcare setting. Effective training should be ongoing. While ‘on-the-job training’ is effective, follow-up intensives that focus on reviewing concepts and technique in a concentrated manner, help to keep a team on the right track.
There are many different components that comprise necessary preparation for performing in the healthcare venue, each with particular goals. By applying them in different ways, a training program can be more robust and dynamic, often playing to the skills desired to be developed.
Beginning this week, we will be presenting a series of articles on training a hospital or caring clown group, including family entertainers performing in the healthcare venue.