Is there anything more beautiful than a baby's laughter? It is a sound that melts even the coldest hearts and that can turn a bad day into the best in an instant. Baby's laughter represents pure joy and sincere happiness, so rarely can anyone remain indifferent. In addition to the first word and the first smile, all parents are looking forward to when the baby will smile like that. You are probably also wondering - when and why do babies laugh?
WHEN DO BABIES START LAUGHING?
Although you are not able to hear that, there is strong evidence that the baby starts smiling even before he comes into this world. During the ultrasound examination, the scientists noticed a facial movement that can be considered a smile, which occurs between the 24th and 36th week of pregnancy. By the 35th week of pregnancy, the baby can stretch his lips, lower his eyebrows, and create complex facial expressions. Researchers say that by the time the baby is born, it already knows how to make facial expressions for laughing and crying. Despite these facts, you will probably wait a certain period after birth to hear that sweetest sound in the world. Most babies do not laugh out loud until the third or fourth month.
WHY IS LAUGHTER IMPORTANT?
Now that you know when a baby is laughing, let's focus on the question - why is laughter important for a baby?
LAUGHTER IS A SIGN OF LEARNING
Apart from the fact that the baby's laughter is a sound that everyone enjoys, it is also a sign that she absorbs information from the environment and reacts to the world around her. After all, laughter and tears are the earliest forms of communication and provide insight into how the brain works in the primitive phase. Studies show that babies laugh with other people as well, which indicates that they are social even before they start walking and talking.
A smile or laughter is an indicator of our understanding of the world. Adults laugh when something surprises them or when something is unusual, and the same goes for babies.
LAUGHTER IS A SOCIAL SKILL
Adults and babies get along when it comes to laughter. When we want to cheer up our friends or family members, we tell them a joke or tease them, don't we? Laughter is a component of social skills and knowledge when it is appropriate to laugh or just join in the laughter, so it shows that your child understands social norms.
LAUGHTER IS IMPORTANT FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE
Believe it or not, laughter is also important for developing your child's self-confidence. Studies show that children who smile at themselves when they do something wrong, better accept imperfections, and develop the inner strength to continue after some mistakes. Besides, research suggests that such children are later less lonely and much happier.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR BABY LAUGH?
Of course, we do not want to "make" our child laugh because it can be embarrassing and no one likes to be forced to do something against their will. But there are a few things you can do to encourage laughter.
BE A GOOD EXAMPLE
Babies love to imitate mom and dad and if you laugh, they will often join you in doing so. Create a positive atmosphere in your home, let everything "burst" with laughter and joy. And be funny and interesting when you talk to your baby. This "one on one" relationship not only stimulates the development of the baby's brain but also deepens your relationship.
MAKE FUNNY SOUNDS
You can whistle or imitate the sound of an animal. The crazier, the better. Blow into their bellies making sounds, because babies just love it.
MAKE FUNNY FACE AND GESTURES
If you exaggerate your movements, dance around the living room, stick out your tongue or raise your eyebrows, the baby will surely have a lot of fun because he will enjoy your performance.
TICK THE BABY
In addition to the fact that the very act of tickling will make them laugh, they will enjoy it because someone tickles them when they know them very well. Do not practice this before the third month, and after that try to tickle them on the legs, abdomen, or under the armpits. Be careful not to overdo it, because babies have a very sensitive nervous system. If he starts to get scared or cry, stop tickling immediately.
INVENT A SONG
Older babies love funny rhymes or meaningless words. If you add some of your own words to a well-known topic such as "Today is a wonderful day for us", swimming or walking will be a real experience for them, accompanied by sincere laughter.
PLAY “HIDDEN”
If you add to the song to hide your face with your hands and then reveal it, it will surely entertain them. You can hide behind a table or some gentle and cheerful blanket, and reveal yourself with the famous word "ba". Surprise and hide-and-seek games have always been funny to babies.
FUN GAMES
You can ask your parents when and how you first laughed or what was funny to you in your earliest childhood, so try it with your child. Playing with hiding your nose, pretending to "eat" your baby's fingers, rocking on your knees, and much more can make your little ones smile.
WHAT IF THE BABY DOESN'T LAUGH?
If your baby is still not laughing, it is important not to panic and remember that all babies are different, as well as that certain things develop in them at different times.
If you notice that the baby is developing in all other things (smiling, making eye contact), then there is no reason to worry. If, however, you are concerned that he or she is not doing some things that are specific to that age, talk to your pediatrician. They will examine the baby in more detail and give you adequate advice and guidelines. Trust your instincts, because no one knows your child better than you.
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