Scientists tell us that babies laugh up to 300 times per day while adults laugh only about 20 times per day!
According to Dr. Adderman, of the Babylab HQ at the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development in Birbeck, University of London, “A lot of first smiles and laughs are happening in the first four months of life, far earlier than traditional theories claimed. Babies’ first-ever smiles are often seen as young as one to three months, with social smiles (smiling at a person) starting shortly afterwards, between two and four months, and laughter following on soon, at three to six months.”
7 ways to make your baby laugh:
1. Blow raspberries on her skin
2. Play “I’m gonna get you.” Say, “I’m gonna get you” a few times, building anticipation, then playfully grab baby’s feet or belly.
3. Get other children in on the act. They can make funny faces and make your baby laugh.
4. Hide your face behind your hands, then pop your face out with a big smile.
5. Pretend to bite his toes.
6. Act silly. Make silly voices, pretend to trip, make funny faces.
7. Laugh! When you laugh, often babies will laugh right along.
References:
Philly, C. (2012). Revealed: The serious science behind a baby’s laugh. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/revealed-the-serious-science-behind-a-babys-laugh-8225400.html