Few things are more delightful than a child’s laughter: genuine, contagious, and instantly lightening the mood. Although humour often feels spontaneous, it develops gradually—and, most importantly, it can be consciously encouraged. At TEQUESTA we see daily that the ability to joke about a situation (and sometimes about oneself) helps children build friendships, boosts confidence, and protects against stress. How can you foster this valuable skill? Here are some ideas.
1. What Exactly Is a Sense of Humour?
For a three-year-old, funny often means peekaboo or silly sound words; a five-year-old begins to catch wordplay; an older child appreciates absurdity and association games. Humour grows with the child, shifting from simple surprises to more complex language jokes. All stages share one thing: the joy that springs from an unexpected twist.
2. Why Is Laughter So Important?
- Stress relief – A good belly laugh releases endorphins that lower the stress hormone cortisol.
- Better relationships – Children who laugh together build group bonds more easily and overcome shyness faster.
- Creative thinking – A joke is “thinking sideways,” linking seemingly distant ideas; the same skill helps solve problems.
- Resilience after slip-ups – Anyone who can turn a mishap into a joke is less afraid to try again.
3. Learning Humour at Home—Practical Inspirations
Surprise endings
Pause before a story’s punchline and invite your child to invent “the strangest ending in the world.” Breaking patterns is the first step toward comedy.
Sound charades
Instead of drawing clues, try imitating noises—a roaring lion might suddenly howl like a fire-engine siren. Laughter is guaranteed and expressive skills get a workout.
A jar of “funny words”
Collect favourite funny words—like giggle, wibble, splat—in a small jar. Draw one each week and create a story where it appears as often as possible. That’s how joy of language is born.
Humour in two languages
In TEQUESTA’s bilingual setting we love word games in Polish and English. Rhymes such as cat–hat–flat or Polish tongue-twisters strengthen phonemic awareness and show that language is a flexible toy.
4. Humour in Practice
- “Funny Day” – children bring a joke, picture, or prop that sparks a smile and present it in English or Polish.
- Shadow-theatre comedy – improvised mini-scenes where props “have a life of their own” (a bed wants to go to sleep, a spoon loses its plate).
- The “positivity box” – each child drops in a note about a funny moment from the week; reading them together becomes a group-building ritual.
Such activities prove that laughter doesn’t interrupt learning—on the contrary, it improves memory and opens children to new vocabulary.
5. Watch Out for Pitfalls
- Sarcasm and irony – young children take them literally and may feel confused or hurt.
- Mocking others – jokes should not injure or exclude. Discuss the difference between laughing at someone and laughing with them.
- Laughing at a child’s fears – the monster under the bed is real for a little one; dismissing it with a joke can weaken trust.
A healthy sense of humour grows on daily servings of laughter, creativity, and acceptance. At TEQUESTA we observe that children who can joke find language learning easier, perform more confidently before a group, and tackle challenges more boldly. So serve your Little One a funny rhyme, play with word meanings, or spot “silly details” in everyday scenes. When laughter fills the home, not only does everyone feel better—there also grows a confident young person, ready to smile at the world.
