The Sound of Joy: Why Laughter is Learning

Hello again, my precious friends,

Wasn’t Easter a burst of color and sweetness? From pastel baskets to giggling little ones chasing eggs through the grass, it always brings a sense of wonder to me, lifting the winter grayness. I do miss the egg salad sandwiches that always used to come the day after Easter. That said, don’t get rid of those leftover plastic eggs and don’t let them go to waste—click here to grab some egg-tastic tips that turns those eggs into tools for imagination and learning!

You know – learning and laughter should always go together.

There’s a certain sound that fills a home with sunshine—the unfiltered laugh of a child. This laughter is simple, pure, and unspotted from worry and the anxiety that comes with growing up. This is the type of laughter found in the giggles of silliness and playful games that build connections, bringing back memories of happier moments to those of us grown weary with growing and our young ones who find excitement and joy in every growing moment. That is why the letter J is so important to teach our children.

In Alphabet Town: the abc’s of raising successful kids, we come to the letter J for

Joy—and oh, how that word sings when paired with laughter. In our story, Charlie the Clever Cat learns that true joy isn't about having the most toys or being the fastest runner; it's found in the messy, marvelous moments of connection that create a sense of togetherness.

Whether it's laughing at a popped bubble, a goofy face, or a made-up song, laughter becomes a bridge—connecting us to our kids and the kid in all of us, while helping them connect with themselves.

But here’s something even more powerful: laughter isn’t just cute—it’s social-

emotional learning in action.

When children laugh, their brains light up with the chemistry of connection—dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins flow freely. That means laughter helps reduce stress, build trust, and even improve emotional regulation. Children learn to read facial expressions, interpret tone, and recognize shared experiences—all key elements of Social-emotional learning.

Some one so much smarter than me said, “laughter does good like a medicine.” So if your little one bursts into giggles at the dinner table or collapses on the floor mid-play from a fit of laughter—pause and soak it in- be a part of it-on purpose. You’re not just witnessing silliness. You’re witnessing resilience being built, relationships being strengthened, and emotions being explored safely. You are catching a glimpse of connections!

Try this at home:

 Turn clean-up time into a silly song fest.

 Use plastic eggs for a “mystery laugh” game—each egg holds a silly action like

“quack like a duck” or “dance like spaghetti.”

 Or just sit down and let your child tell you the world’s longest, most nonsensical

joke. And laugh like it’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard.

Because to a child, your laughter is proof that joy is allowed here. That it's welcome. That it matters. So this week, let’s lean into joy. Let’s laugh until we cry, dance until we drop, and remind our kids that in this house—or classroom—joy isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you create.

With warmth and a heart full of chuckles,

Ms. Grandma

Parents, I see you raising those kids so wonderfully. I’m proud of you.