Despite his two goals last week and his new team jersey, 3-year-old son has a meltdown and doesn't want to go to his soccer lesson. How to quickly resolve the situation without scolding?
He doesn't like soccer anymore tonight, and his fits make us the “stars” of the place… At the end of my arguments, I spontaneously leave: “You're right! Anyway your coach has blue hair and a green nose today. You don't want to see this! ». Ten seconds of laughter, and presto! Here he is in the field!!
It still reminds me how much more absurd is often more effective for me than a reprimand.
Humour, a social tool
Humour joins. Break down the resistances. It is the tool par excellence that teaches you to put things into perspective. Accessible and playful, it has the power to move children from anger to joy in no time. In addition, it allows us to show our children how to bring levity to more complex situations.
Humor doesn't work the same way for our children. For them, it is purer, closer to the absurd, to the physical, and further from sarcasm than adult humor. The funnier and wackier it is, the more effective it will be in overcomingchildren's seizures or blockages. Especially since it has been shown that what is funny and unexpected is remembered much more easily. As a demonstration, just remember how much you prefer to remember a funny sequence of events in a movie compared to a scary or sad sequence of events.
Pleasure, the perfect ingredient
In Adèle Faber and Hélène Mazlish's book Talking So Children Will Listen, Listening So Children Will Talk, the authors encourage us to get in touch with our childish dimension. According to them, even adults who think they are humorless or too serious can achieve treasures of creativity and ingenuity!
Furthermore, on a physical level, laughter has proven benefits. It relaxes and releases endorphins in the brain, these pleasure hormones that release tension. What could be better than managing our evening routine with the power of laughter to relax before bedtime.
Your inner clown
Want to take action but not sure how to go about it? Only one rule to respect: laugh WITH the child and not AT him. Then find the style that matches your values and feel free to vary. To each his own humor! I share with you a non-exhaustive list of ways to add humor to your speeches.
Self-mockery. By laughing at oneself, one preaches de-dramatization by example. The child understands that it is okay not to beperfect.
Change your voice. Do we keep rehearsing in the morning? Did you try to sing the instruction imitating the voice of a singer? The impact on attention will be instantaneous.
Animating objects. The pillow that cries because it's bored… it needs a friend… Admittedly, it's more fun and encouraging than "Go sleep! »
The Absurd.« Mamaaaaaannn? Where is my sweater? "In the oven my love!" » Try it, you'll see! Suddenly, mini-you will correct the situation by saying, “No! It's in my bedroom dresser! »
Humor is a legitimate educational tool. But it is still much more than that. A real natural medicine against anxiety and depression, it will become an asset for the child that can prove very useful in helping him manage many present and future situations..
The power of humor in education is rarely emphasized. However, this can have positive multiplier effects.
