Laugh'it's good for you, those at childhood conference told

Susan Brown, an extension educator from Hastings, said laughter is good for everyone—the individual who laughs and those who associate with the happy person.

“Laughter decreases your stress hormones, boosts your immune system, increases the oxygen that goes to the brain and eases muscle tension,” Brown said.

She said it also increases learning and alertness, stimulates digestion and reduces blood pressure.

“Every body has some stress in their lives unless they are dead,” Brown said. “But having a sense of humor and laughing 35 to 40 times a day will reduce that stress. When was the last time you laughed at yourself and some of the mistakes you may have made?” she asked.

Brown urged her listeners to be “90-10 people.” That is 90 percent positive and only 10 percent negative. She said it is especially important for those who work with children to accentuate the positive.

“I want people who enjoy life and can’t wait to get to work to be the ones who work with children,” she stated.

The speaker said Americans tend to be too negative. She urged her listeners to spend more time watching re-runs of old sit-coms on the Nickelodeon channel and less time watching the news channel, particularly before they go to work. She also said she appreciates newspapers that contain some good news.

“I like a newspaper that puts a smile on your face and makes you feel good rather than one that is filled with gloom and doom,” she noted.

Brown said people who have a positive outlook have more friends and may live longer. She noted that her grandfather was such a person and lived to be 98. She said when he was 90, he studied and passed the driver’s license examination, even though he sold his car and gave up driving soon afterwards. He just wanted to prove that he could still pass the test.

She also urged the audience that was made up of about 250 teachers, day care providers and college students to be willing to try new concepts and techniques.

“Nothing will ever be accomplished if all the obstacles have to be overcome first,” she said. “And, don’t let me hear you say, ‘We’ve never done it that way before.’”

Later on Friday and again Saturday morning, Dr. Becky Bailey of Florida presented her “Conscious Discipline” program to the conference attendees. “Conscious Discipline” has been recognized as a national model for character education. Bailey urged audience members to view the child with misbehavior as a child crying for help. Her model emphasizes helping all children so they feel connected in a safe environment.

Rituals are a big part of the positive classroom picture painted by Bailey. Having routines and rituals become an important piece of community-building, she said. Bailey shared songs, rhymes and techniques that she uses. Audience members had the opportunity to practice the activities with Bailey.

 

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Susan Brown of Hastings opened the Early Childhood Conference at Chadron State College on Friday by stressing the importance of humor and laughter in our lives. About 250 attended the conference.