What's Funny to a Toddler?

The Language of Humor

As kids begin to understand language, verbal humor is a great source of amusement. Rhymes and silly names, even nonsense words that just sound funny are favorites. You'll be surprised how many times your toddler can listen to you sing "my name is Yon Yonson, I come from Wisconsin" and still find it funny. Kids this age also can anticipate humor. If you repeat jokes regularly, you'll find your child giggling before the punch line.

Some people seem naturally gifted when it comes to a sense of humor. But what if you don't consider yourself a natural? Here are two easy ways all parents can develop a child's sense of humor:

1. Be open and playful.
2. Be willing to laugh yourself.

Toddlers are very physical about everything. There are few better ways to make a child laugh then to chase and catch him or her (funnier still: when you try to catch your toddler and "can't").

Perennial favorite peek-a-boo also continues to amuse toddlers. You can always refine the game — try encouraging your child to "hide" under a scarf or blanket while you "search," then react with surprise when he or she emerges ("Where's Will? I can't see him. Oh, there he is!").

Other fun games you can play include:

• Ring Around the Rosy. Play this the traditional way with everyone falling down or with substitutions like "all run around" or "all jump up and down."
• This Little Piggy. Pull off your child's socks for this nursery rhyme, and conclude with a rousing bout of tickling.
• This Little Sheep Goes Moo. Once your child knows animal sounds, what could be funnier than pretending that the cat says "baa" or the dog says "meow"?
• Silly Billy Loves His Gilly? Toddlers love rhyming sounds, especially funny rhyming names. Use your child's name to make up nonsensical chants — encourage your child to follow along and make up his or her own rhymes.
• Row, Row, Row Your...Car! Try making up funny lyrics to familiar songs. Encourage your child by singing the song "incorrectly" once, then pausing for him or her to fill in a "wrong" word the next time around.

Your Budding Comedian

Here's the really fun part: One day soon, your toddler just might start playing jokes on you, hiding under the covers when you come in to get him or her up from a nap or running away laughing when you say it's time to go home from the park. Or, if you say "Show me your nose," your child might purposely point to an ear or knee.

Repetition is big with toddlers, so you'll probably hear these same jokes more than once. Be sure to give your child a big laugh — even if you've heard this one many, many times before!

Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: February 2012