Today is my sister-in-law’s birthday. Growing up, my children always loved visits from Aunt Nancy because she was so much fun. She would make them laugh and they would do anything for her!
Laughter makes us feel good! Laughter supports our health. Laughter is just plain fun!
Victor Borge said:
Laughter is the shortest distance between two people
Using Humor When Kids Dig In
When students are starting to dig-in because something is hard for them, I often find that being playful or kidding with them, will adjust their attitude before it becomes a problem.
When my son was little, the last thing he wanted to do was study his reading flashcards. He was a very active little hockey player, so sitting and doing flashcards was torture. So I decided a little humor was needed.
Whenever we came to a word that was hard because it didn’t follow the phonetic rules, I made a big show of tossing it over my shoulder and into the “penalty box” because it didn’t follow the rules. Kevin would fall apart laughing. Such a silly little thing helped us get past the whining and through the flashcards with both of us in a better mood!
Students with learning challenges often experience a high degree of frustration and stress. Taking a quick little laughter break can really help lighten the mood and bring the brain back to a productive state.
For some kids, a little tickle torture will do the trick. A two-minute break to view a silly You-Tube video can get the whole family laughing.
Laughter Won’t Fix the Cause
Laughter goes a long way, but of course, it won’t fix the cause of a learning challenge. Most of the time, when smart students struggle in school, it is because some of the underlying learning/processing skills that support school success are weak or inefficient. The great news is, that these skills can be developed. Learning really can become easier and more enjoyable.
For more information, go to stowellcenter.com to find out about our next FREE Information Night.
Also check outAt Wit’s End, A Parent’s Guide to Ending the Struggle, Tears, and Turmoil of Learning Disabilities available at amazon.com
Quick Answers
How can humor help a child who is frustrated with schoolwork?
Being playful or kidding with students who are starting to dig in can adjust their attitude before it becomes a problem. A quick little laughter break can help lighten the mood and bring the brain back to a productive state.
Will laughter fix a learning challenge?
No. Laughter goes a long way, but it won’t fix the cause of a learning challenge. Most of the time it is because some of the underlying learning/processing skills are weak or inefficient, and these skills can be developed.
Jill Stowell, M.S.
Founder and Executive Director of Stowell Learning Centers and bestselling author of At Wit's End and Take the Stone Out of the Shoe. For more than 40 years, Stowell Learning Centers has helped children and adults correct the root causes of dyslexia, learning, and attention challenges. More about Jill
Is your child working harder and still struggling?
Talk with a Learning Specialist for free. We'll help you understand what may be getting in the way and what to do next.
Or call 877-774-0444 | Chino | Irvine | Pasadena | Remote programs nationwide
Not sure where to start? Take our free Learning Challenge Quiz
Ready to take the next step?
Speak to a Learning Specialist to learn more about the results from students and parents at Stowell Learning Centers.