Nurturing your child’s sense of humor is no joking matter. Laughing loud is a healthy way for her to manage life’s little stresses. Now that Christmas is just around the corner, find a way to make your child laugh, I think it’s the best gift that you can give her.

Nothing is too corny for a toddler, but here’s what typically makes 1-year-olds laugh:

* The ridiculous.- by now, your child has developed a routine and knows what to expect from her world. When you do something out of the ordinary (without frightening her) she may find it humorous. Utterly inane acts, such as wearing your toddler’s pants on your head while changing her diaper, are likely to spark giggles. Those pants, she now knows, belong on her legs, not on your head. Don’t be afraid to silly acts and funny faces.

* The predictable surprise – Babies and toddlers spend many months mastering the idea of object permanence: The concept that things and people exist even when they’re out of sight. Games like peekaboo reinforce the notion of how the world works. Your child knows that you’re hiding behind the chair, and when you confirm her suspicions by jumping out playfully, she’ll be delighted and express that feeling with laughter.

Nurturing your child’s emerging capacity of humor is like presenting her with a lifelong gift. Laughter is a mechanism for pleasure and a powerful tool for coping with life’s difficult moments. So make every effort to make your child laugh, it’s all worth it. Happy laughing!

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