Proverbs 17:22a (NIV) says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” This idea is spot on target. Scientific research verifies that laughter carries many benefits. How?

According to the Mayo Clinic, when you laugh, your body releases endorphins. This chemical relieves physical pain. Laughter also increases oxygen intake, which stimulates circulation and reduces what some people call a “stress hormone” called cortisol in the body’s system. Pair that with the fact that laughter relaxes tense muscles and releases antibodies to boost your immune system, and you’ve got a cheery recipe to follow.

It’s not just the physical body that’s affected. As a teacher, I hold great interest in studies that link laughter and learning. The American Psychological Association suggests that humor reduces student anxiety and increase motivation and participation.

November 8^th is Abet and Aid Punsters Day. A pun is joke that makes a play on homophones or multi-meaning words. One example is, “A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it’s two-tired.” (Homophone- two instead of too.) Or, why didn’t the teddy bear eat dessert? Because it was stuffed! (Multi-meaning word play.)

Imagine that… a whole day dedicated to lame jokes. Now, that’s my kind of holiday! Here are a few ways to bring laughter into your child’s day.

• Read humorous children’s books. Some of my favorite general market books include Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester, The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. In the Christian arena, consider picking up a copy of Mike Nawrocki’s Dead Sea Squirrels or A Dad Joke a Day.
• Find the humor in daily situations. You might have to actively seek for ways in which an event might be funny but try. For example, when I broke my wrist, I asked the doctor if I’d be able to do cartwheels when it healed. When he said yes, I replied, “Great. Because I don’t know how to do cartwheels now.” Old joke, but enough to lighten the mood.
• Children’s poetry is packed with humor. Check out poems by Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky. Kids crave these short ditties that tickle their funny bones.
• Find clean, appropriate cartoons or comic books to enjoy together. Peanuts by Charles Schwartz, Garfield by Jim Davis, and Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson were some of my favorites.
• Share a sack of Laffy Taffy. Each candy has two jokes on the wrapper. What a sweet treat!
• Put on music and do a silly dance. Videotape yourself to replay later for even more giggles.

Maybe you can find even more reasons to smile today. It will do not just you but your child a whole world of good. I’m not joking!

By Lori Z. Scott

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