Children’s sense of humor is expanding and developing just like other skills and, yes, being able to understand a joke is a skill. Actually, it is a quite a complicated series of thinking skills–recognizing intention, realizing something is irregular and understanding symbolism–and corresponding emotional responses. As children grow and mature their joke telling becomes more reliable. Toddlers and preschoolers don’t always have a punch line that matches the rest of the joke. In any case, laughter is healthy, and we all love jokes. Today, to help your kidlets, share something funny, a joke, a riddle, an action, a silly song or crazy faces in the mirror. Here’s one to start: What do trees wear when they go to the pool? Swimming trunks! What’s your best kids’ jokes?
