Live Healthy Live Well

The laughter of a child is associated with happiness, bonding, and connecting. However, laughter in children is more than these things, it is how they learn and grow. A rousing game of peek-a-boo for a little one shows you they understand their loved one is behind those hands, and they enjoy the element of anticipation, and will giggle with relief when their loved one reappears. The child learns that what at first might be scary, can become fun. It also helps the child to predict behaviors in future situations.

As toddlers gain mastery of language, rhyming and nonsensical jumbled sounds or phrases become comedy hour for a 2-year-old. Their laughter tells you they understand that those words, phrases, and sounds are silly, and don’t really belong in the conversation. Children at this age also correlate objects to specific purposes or places. So, putting underwear on their heads is hilarious because they know it doesn’t belong there. They know they are being silly, and this is their way of telling you a joke.

With age comes better mastery of verbal skills, development of creativity, and problem-solving. Silly words and games are no longer the knee-slapping, laughter-inducing skits they once were. Their sense of humor has matured, as have they. A child at the mature age of six will flourish in the world of riddles, puns, and jokes. These forms of laughter inducing play help the child build their understanding of logical thought, deepen their understanding of language, and think creatively to problem solve.

When you change your perspective from laughter being a by-product of childhood and re-frame it for what it really is, childhood development, you gain a whole new perspective on peek-a-boo, silly words and noises, or riddles, puns, and jokes. Laughter is learning, growing, exploring, bonding, connecting, and so much more. Find time to laugh, no matter your age.

Written by: Dr. Roseanne Scammahorn, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Darke County, Scammahorn.5@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu