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Humor and kids: It’s good for them
There’s a ton of evidence that kids learn language best in conversation with adults. The more they speak with adults on a grown up level, the better there brain understands how sophisticated language works.
In my column this weekend, I argue that this also extends to adult humor. Many times, adults shield kids from grown up jokes or assume they can’t understand. But the truth is, they understand more than you think.
And, in fact, understanding why things are funny to adults — how language creates exaggeration or absurd understatement, or irony, or sarcasm — is actually good for their developing brains. Because to understand those humor concepts requires fairly sophisticated thinking and deepens the child’s understanding of language.
Take a look at the column and tell me what you think.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Teaching and Learning

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By Andrew Pass
April 23, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
The best way to develop nurturing relationships with children is for them to know that you like them and care about them. In order to do this, you need to include them in your world, not just go into theirs. http://www.lessontech.blogspot.com
By aguyindayton
March 9, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
not to mention Bernie Madoff and MBS and CDS and all the other things swirling around that the kids should be aware of since it will become part and parcel to their future. And adult humor; hmmm maybe they have already surpassed us.
By Concerned Mom of 3
March 5, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
Humor is good for everyone. Humor and a belief in a higher being always helps me get through the hard times. And the humor always makes the not-so-hard times even more enjoyable. (Dare I write this next word with my tongue in my cheek…) Duh!!! (Humor?)