AGES and STAGES of HUMOR

1. AGES and STAGES of HUMOR Infancy and Early Childhood • What makes children laugh is anything that goes against their expectations, such as a mole wearing sunglasses, or a grownup taking a pratfall. • Their expectations are determined by their level of mental development By the end of the first year infants have attained object permanence (look for objects that they have seen being hidden from view) Ex. Will expect to see key ring hidden under a napkin when removed. If the key ring is not there the child will be surprised but may not see it as funny. • The world is too new for an infant to enjoy failures of expectations. • Infants smile to express happiness, but true laughter does not occur until early childhood

2. AGES 2 to 3 Years Old • Develop expectations that parents can use to encourage laughter Ex. Change our voice / put on a funny hat –are unexpected-children find this funny • Begin to understand space and size relations Ex. They laugh when they see a dozen clowns coming out of a Volkswagen • Adults being physically coordinated- see someone fall-FUNNY!! (person falls on their buttock) • Nonsense words-non standard English Ex. Dr. Seuss incorporated a lot of nonsense words in his stories such as “There is a Wocket in my Pocket”

3. Once children reach the age of reason, they expect propositions to be logical. • Riddles are funny-they meet the child’s logical expectations Ex. What did the potato chip say to another? Answer: Would you like to take a dip? • Encourage imaginative thinking that diverges from the norm *start off the day with a riddle/challenge your child to come up with the answer by dinnertime • Don’t find humor in things that younger children do • Use humor as a sign of maturity • Same goes with magic (preschoolers are awed while older children are not)because they know that rabbits and pigeons don’t come out of hat • Don’t use humor in a derogatory way. • Children do as we do, but they also do as we say! = Would you like to take a dip? Humor, like so many other good things in life, can be misused

4. Sharing Our Passions Childrenare blessed • Share our personal passions with our child Ex. Golf, gardening, fishing, or jogging (get your child involved) • Realize personal talents and abilities • Can be exciting • Ensures that our children both play and develop habits of play • Provides lifelong bonds

5. Sharing by Example (We reveal ourselves as people, the things we love to do in our free time) • Brings play, love, and work together • Free our children to engage in activities – not obliged to perform (play) • Build strong family bonds (love) • Teaches socially valuable skills (work) Ex. A pianist’s parents encouraged their children to sing songs, identify notes, or pick out tunes. When the children developed skill, they played Duets and entertained family and friends • Teachers that share their passions w/students • Present themselves in a different light • Display excitement/ enthusiasm & makes children see that learning can be FUN!!!!

6. Children’s Passions • Particularly true of a gifted child • Parent need to support then the child will go on to realize their full potential • Parent may not support (not out of spite) but out of concern for the child’s future • Some children give in to parental pressure, but others harden their determination • Parental opposition drives some young people to realize their ambitions and talents • Some children follow their parents lead while others will find their own way despite parental opposition STAND YOUR GROUND!! People who have excelled in their chosen profession felt an “underlying, love, respect, and honesty from their families”, but they are also the character traits of parents who have children who become happy, successful ,and productive in all walks of life