3 big reasons for establishing a Humor Program in your hospital or healthcare facility presented by published author and longtime Humor Therapist Becky Cortino…

These are 3 compelling reasons to establish a Healthcare Humor Program — but wait! There are more…

In addition, Healthcare Humor Programs:

*Have far-reaching effects inside and outside the facility walls!

*Provide priceless results at little cost reaching patients, staff!

*Build great community goodwill!

*Are NOT Rocket Science to set-up!

*Easily tailored to your facility’s specific needs!

For articles, resources, training, request consultation, visit: AHeart4Clowning.com

Contact: Becky Cortino, AHeart4Clowning.com

A heart for hospital clowning includes not only a great deal of training and learning, creating a character, designing a ‘look’ or costume,  hours of practice and preparation, it also includes actual in-service time on the floor of a healthcare facility.

Hospital clowning is known to be one of the most challenging disciplines, due to facility regulations and the inherent requirements of performing in the special venue. To many, the mere thought of clowning for the sick is an endearing idea. However most folks don’t have an understanding of the behind-the-scenes preparation and training that is involved to make the scene.

Sometimes individuals make their way through the maze of regulations and restrictions, pull together a costume and appear on the floor for their debut, only to discover this wasn’t their cup of tea after all. It is a sad discovery, especially for those clowning team mates and performance partners looking forward to a new addition. It is often a surprising discovery for the new clown or family entertainer, as reality hits the linoleum, so-to-speak.

Reasons for this are as varied as individuals in the world. Often there is no way to predict its occurrence:

• Attracted to the thought of performing for the sick, inspired by a family member or friend in the hospital for an extended period of time, turns out to be more of a deterrent, as they battle recurring memories.
• The performer takes their “work” that looks like play ‘home’ with them and dwells on it.
• After following all procedures and training, some folks new to this venue discover they do not have the stamina to make Clown Rounds.
• Rounds schedule seems to always conflict with other things that take priority.
• Have a unrealistically high expectation they cannot fulfill or meet, to their satisfaction.
• Create a difficult-to-replicate look or face that takes too long, or is hard to maintain. 
• Has difficulty developing a presentation, or finetuning the performance skills.

These are just a few of the reasons new folks may discover greater personal challenges in making Clown Rounds in a hospital or healthcare facility. Many of them can be addressed with training, once recognized. Here are a few suggestions:

• Having a mentoring system of new performers working with experienced team members for a specified period of time.
• Allow floor time experience after initial training, so new clowns and family entertainers have a better understanding, in advance.
• Continue coaching and one-on-one training experiences throughout the year, so that questions and concerns may be addressed, and efforts may be fine-tuned.
• A feeling of support and cohesiveness through welcoming hearts, understanding and acceptance go a long way to making a new person feel welcomed, “at home” and able to take on The Great Clown Unknown. 

What kind of training and preparation does your facility offer? What type of training do you believe is the most beneficial? Please share your thoughts by leaving your comment…

Private Member-Only online Mentoring/Training for Hospital or Caring Clowns, Family Entertainers and Creative Arts Performers

Unique NEW Private Member-Only online Mentoring and Training Program for Hospital Clowns, or Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers as well as Creative Arts Performers who apply generous doses of Healing Humor and Entertain in the Healthcare Setting!

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!