Humour

What’s So Funny Anyway?

Humour is what makes something funny; a sense of humour is the ability to recognize it. Someone with a well-developed sense of humour has the ability to recognize what’s funny in others and can amuse them as well.

Often we find our kids giggling, and what for? We don’t understand. A word its pronunciation, its use all finds humour in a child’s eye. And what surprises me is how they find humour even in otherwise tense situations. For example, we were stuck in a bad traffic jam (Bangalore traffic is crazy mind you) people shouting, auto drivers crowding and cars honking all around. While we were discussing on the urgency of our travel, Anaya (my 6 yr. old, then 4) comes up with this:

Anaya: “Mom, you know why are the cars honking?”

Me (irritated): what Anaya can’t you see all are in a hurry!

Anaya (shaking her head): “No mom, they honk to say hello to each other “(smiles)

What?? All smile and the journey becomes less painful.

 

Kids with a well-developed sense of humour are happier and more optimistic, have higher self-esteem, and can handle differences (their own and others’) well. Kids who can appreciate and share humour are better liked by their peers and more able to handle the adversities of childhood — from moving to a new town, to teasing, to torment by playground bullies.

And a good sense of humour doesn’t just help kids emotionally or socially. People who laugh more are healthier — they’re less likely to be depressed and may even have an increased resistance to illness or physical problems. They experience less stress; have lower heart rates, pulses, and blood pressure; and have better digestion. Laughter may even help humans better endure pain, and improves our immune function.

But most of all, a sense of humour is what makes life fun.

Happiness and sunshine