by Davy James, Staff Writer
As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.
With hopes of teaching parents how laughter can be a powerful learning tool, the South Brunswick Parent Academy will host a workshop Monday called The Power of Laughter.
”The workshop discusses the importance of humor and laughter in children’s lives,” said SBPA Director Christine Mariano. “It’s not just to create a well rounded, balanced individual. Studies show the correlation between laughter and learning, so we’ll discuss that correlation and real life strategies to bring more laughter and humor to create a happier and a better student.”
Participants in the workshop will learn about the physiological benefits of laughter. In addition, they will receive information on the link between humor and learning, strategies to help students and parents diffuse stress by learning to laugh, and using humor as a learning tool.
”We’re trying to show parents how to create an environment where children use humor and laughter with techniques for learning,” Ms. Mariano said. “There are games that make learning fun and make a more well rounded individual.”
The program will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at Crossroads North Middle School. Childcare will be provided.
Interested parties can register online by visiting the district’s Web site, www.sbschools.org and clicking the South Brunswick Parent Academy icon or by e-mailing [email protected].
If you are e-mailing your registration, be sure to include your name, telephone number, e-mail address, your child’s grade and the ages of any children that may require childcare. Childcare is not available for children under the age of 3.
The academy’s workshop series will conclude April 16 with the second annual Proms, Parties and Pitfalls session. This event will be held at South Brunswick High School (750 Ridge Road) and will begin at 7 p.m.

