Preschool Humor: What's Funny to Your Child, and Why?

The gift of humor is priceless. And when you create opportunities to laugh, do the unexpected, and laugh out loud, you create an environment that improves the quality of life for your preschooler, and gives him the kind of happiness that will spillover into adulthood.

Here’s how to encourage a sense of humor in your preschooler, and help him reap all the valuable benefits laughter can bring:

• Create Laughable Moments. Don’t wait for humor to fall into your lap. Create laughable moments for your child by watching funny movies, making up silly rhymes, butchering the words to his favorite tunes, or reading funny books. Some hilarious children’s book selections include Silly Sally by Audrey Wood, and Bark, George by Jules Feiffer. You can also tickle your preschooler’s funny bone by tying scarves around your heads and playing silly pirate games, or cranking up some music and doing a goofy dance around the room.

• Be Spontaneous. Funny moments don’t always have to be planned. You can help your young child have a good chuckle by doing something totally unexpected. Next time you’re serving breakfast, do it with a bowl on your head. This type of spontaneity will indulge your child in a bit of humor while teaching him to seize the small moments in life.

• Laugh at Yourself. Be open and willing to laugh about your misfortunes. This helps kids keep things in perspective, take themselves less seriously, and learn to better deal with disappointments in life. This attitude also encourages creativity in kids, and gives them the tools they need to learn how to think outside of the box.

• Laugh Out Loud. Parenting is a serious job, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let loose, and laugh at things you find funny. Laughter is truly contagious, and when you giggle out loud, your child will quickly follow suit. So laugh loud, and often.

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