The many benefits of sharing jokes as a family
A well-chosen joke can have a big impact when speaking to a crowd or attempting to redirect a tense meeting. Our family started regularly enjoying jokes when my son began sharing the "Joke of the Day" read on the morning announcements at his school with us at dinner. A burst of laughter prevents us from complaining about the menu. The benefits of sharing jokes definitely go beyond mealtime conversation matter, though. Here are some reasons to make joking around a regular family habit:
Knowing a good joke can help a kid connect with other kids at the cafeteria table or start a conversation on the school bus. Enjoying jokes and practicing the art of humorous delivery in the safety of their home can give kids tools for social situations.
Jokes improve language skills. Consider the learning potential in these samples from Funology.com: "What do you call a cow that eats your grass? A lawn (草坪) moo-er." "When is a door not a door? When it's ajar (半开着)."
Jokes encourage reading and learning. Many parents and teachers report that joke books help motivate their reluctant or struggling readers to read more. Since jokes, by design, are for sharing, reading them aloud is particularly good practice for kids who struggle with reading fluently. If your child needs help remembering a difficult concept, a joke might do it. For instance, try another joke from Funology.com: "Two atoms (原子) are playing together when one tells the other, 'I lost an electron (电子).' The second atom asks, 'Are you sure?' The first atom replies 'I'm positive!'"
A. Jokes help kids build social relationships.
B. Jokes aren't just for the public stage, though.
C. Humor can even help a person deal with mood disorders.
D. Studies show humor can make information more memorable, too.
E. Jokes arc quick lessons about sounds in words and word meanings.
F. But humor encourages family connection and helps ease kids' anxiety.
G. Also, it's been a good chance to explain jokes he didn't quite understand.
