Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:        Children need to develop a sense of humor.

PRACTICE:   Laugh with your child today.

Look for something he says or does that is funny to you. Laugh and let him see you laughing.

Tell him what you thought was funny. Thank him for making you laugh.

For young children, you will need a way to “turn off” the silliness. Young kids love to make you laugh but don’t know when to stop the fun.

Think ahead about how you will signal the child that funny time is over. You could say, “I need to get back to my cleaning, we’ll laugh some more later.” Or, “Things are usually only funny the first time. Let’s stop now and try some more later.”

Today’s Parenting Tip was inspired by our featured picture book, DOCTOR TED.  Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day.

Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.)

Read the whole story at Make-Believe and Funny: Two Good Things.