Building Your Kid's Sense of Humor

KNOCK-KNOCK. (I’m waiting … go ahead and ask, ‘Who’s there?’) Wa. Wa who? What are you so excited about?! 😊 I love the interactive nature of knock-knock jokes! This one comes from Rob Elliot’s book, Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids. We all value a sense of humor. Laughter is one of the most human of behaviors.

As your young child grows he/she is also developing a sense of humor. A game of peek-a-boo may elicit a smile or a laugh from your infant; but as your child becomes a preschooler, he/she may enjoy a riddle or a joke.

Your child’s developing sense of humor is important to your their well-being. Laughter connects us. A child’s sense of humor helps with their sense of belonging, higher self-esteem and positive coping skills. It's also linked to their understanding of the world – their language skills, their emotional maturity and their knowledge of how things "normally" look.

Sharing Smiles, Giggles & Belly Laughs

A warm and supportive home is a key to creating a home full of smiles, giggles and belly laughs. Foster your child’s imagination and silliness. Encourage a playful climate. Here are some other tips to help you build their sense of humor.

• Laugh out loud.
• Read a funny picture book.
• Share a joke.
• Listen to funny songs or rhymes.
• Encourage your child to tell a joke. Often their first attempts don't make much sense, but as long as they think it's funny, it's a good start.
• Make silly sounds or exaggerated actions to familiar stories or songs.
• A family joke or story is a special "inside joke." (See you later, alligator! After while, crocodile!)
• Be playful. You could draw a dog with elephant ears or mix other things that don't go together.
• Share a funny story from your childhood.