A little laughter makes every day a good day. Short on time? Silly voices at dinner count as quality time with your kids.
Busy families don’t always get long afternoons at the park. That’s okay. Laughing together for two minutes at the table can turn a hard day around, and kids remember the grown-up who made them giggle.
What it means for your child
Laughter looks a little different at each age.
- Babies: Peekaboo, funny faces and raspberries on a tummy. Babies love a grown-up who is a little bit silly.
- Toddlers: Put a sock on your ear. Say the cat says “moo.” Silly mix-ups crack them up, and they love to correct you.
- Preschoolers: Knock-knock jokes, even the ones that make no sense, are a big deal at this age. Laugh at theirs, and tell some of your own.
- School-age kids: Big kids like riddles, puns and funny stories from your day. Let them make you laugh, too.
Try this tonight
Tonight, bring a little silly to the dinner table.
- Pick one funny voice, like a robot, a pirate or a squeaky mouse.
- Use it to ask a simple question: “Arr, what did ye eat for lunch?”
- Let everyone take a turn with their own silly voice.
Words you can use
- “You’re so funny!”
- “Okay, your turn to be silly.”
- “I love laughing with you.”
At Nana’s Place
Nana’s Place cares for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old, with day, evening and overnight care at our two buildings in Glendale. We think a giggle is a good sign of a good day. Come see us for yourself and take a tour.
Questions parents ask
I’m too tired to play after work. What can I do?
Play doesn’t have to be long. A silly voice at dinner, a funny face in the mirror or a tickle at bedtime all count. Two minutes of fun is still fun.
How do I get my serious child to laugh?
Try being the silly one. Make a small mistake on purpose, like putting a shoe on your hand, and let them catch you. Some kids warm up slowly, and that’s okay.
A smile works wonders on hard days, too. See The best lessons are taught with a smile, and remember, you’re doing great, grown-ups.
