Today I have a guest post by the fantastic child care experts at Kiddie Academy about laughter.
Did you know that babies begin to laugh when they’re just 12 weeks old, and that the typical 4 year old laughs several hundred times a day? While we may take humor for granted, we shouldn’t. Because by the time we’re adults, we’re only laughing a handful of times a day. That means we’re missing out on the incredible benefits of laughter.
It’s no joke. The experts, including those at the Department of Health and Human Services, tell us that having a sense of humor is good for a child’s mental and physical well-being. Just look at this laundry list of benefits we can glean from laughter:
· Relieves stress
· Loosens muscles
· Lowers blood pressure and may lower hormones that create stress and weaken immunity
· Helps move blood to our heart and lungs, boosting energy
· Triggers a point in the brain that helps us feel pleasure and want to have that same feeling
· Eases depression
· Strengthens immune system
For children, laughter offers not just these immediate benefits. Having a sense of humor also allows children to maintain a youthful, positive outlook on life. It’s something they can turn to as a coping mechanism during challenging times. Humor also can help children develop social skills and maintain emotional and physical health. Last, but not least, laughing just plain feels good.
So, how can you encourage your child to develop and appreciate a sense of humor and the laughter that follows? Try the following strategies to get the giggling going in your home.
Make them laugh. Tickle your baby’s tummy. Play hide-and-go seek with your toddler. Tell your 5 and 6 year olds funny jokes. Finding opportunities in everyday life to laugh with your children will make your home a happier place now, and will plant the seed of laughter in your children forever.
Be a good role model. Sure, our lives get weightier as adults, and we may not find as much to laugh about. But you won’t raise laughing children if you’re wearing a frown much of the time. If you can find the humor in everyday life and let your children see it, you’ll help create a home environment that feels safe, comfortable and fun.
What can you do to bring more laughter into your day? Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know your ideas. Don’t forget, you can find more parenting tips on the Kiddie Academy Blog.
This article was provided and sponsored by Kiddie Academy®. The company has been a leader in education-based childcare for 30 years serving families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. You can visit the KA Family Essentials blog and LIKE them on FB for additional information.
