Funny Bone
There are countless books and guides for parents on how to discipline kids. But parents often forget one very useful tool: humor.
Every kid has a funny bone. They love to laugh, play, and clown around. Experts say humor is a very effective way to get kids to do the things they don’t want to do. When parents use silly songs and the element of surprise, kids will often comply with little fuss. “Humor allows parents to handle a tough circumstance in a different and more constructive manner,” says child physician, Dr. Rene Ramiro.
Still as effective as humor can be in getting kids to clean their room or go to sleep at night, parents should remember there are certain times when laughing is not appropriate.
Experts warn that parents should avoid using sarcastic humor because most kids don’t get it. Parents should also avoid humor when a child is overly upset or angry because kids may regard the humor as a sign that they are not being taken seriously.
Finally, parents should not try to be funny when they are not feeling lighthearted themselves. Feigned humor can backfire.
What Parents Should Know
Mixing the serious and the absurd can be one of the most effective forms of discipline. When parents communicate with a sense of humor rather than a sense of foreboding punishment, kids are more likely to respond. The following tips will help parents tickle a child’s funny bone while teaching kids to follow the rules:
- Use the element of surprise. When parents react to kid in an unexpected way, children are more likely to pay attention to a parent’s message.
- Turn mundane tasks into funny games. This method works particularly well with young children who dawdle and whine. Turn cleaning a messy room into a game of beat the clock or seek and find. Kids will laugh every time.
- Mirror your child’s response in an exaggerated way. One way to get a kid whose whining to laugh is to show them how they sound. Often when parents talk in baby talk or whine themselves, kids will begin to giggle. But, be careful. Make sure your exaggeration does not become mocking to the point of sarcasm or humiliation.
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"Humor allows parents to handle a tough circumstance in a different more constructive manner." --Dr. Rene Ramiro |
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Sarcasm Bites Parents should always avoid sarcastic remarks. They are not funny or effective for children. Biting humor can seem funny to an adult, but kids often see it as humor at the child‘s expense. Children are typically not sophisticated enough to understand the nuance of subtle sarcasm. Therefore, kids often interpret any type of sarcasm as critical. Sarcasm is generally regarded by kids as angry and encourages resentment while silly humor encourages cooperation. Remember children and parents differ on what’s funny and what’s not. When laughing with kids, keep it on their level. |
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Nonsense For the pre-school child, humor can stimulate intellectual, psychological, and social growth. Particularly, nonsensical antics. In the early years, kids are beginning to learn the basic elements of humor. Parents should be careful not to dismiss nonsense as too much silly stuff. Indulge a young child with nonsense and try to remember how to laugh at the absurd even when it’s very elementary. |
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Resources
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Discipline with Humor |
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more information on parenting issues contact us: Connecting with Kids |