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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 8 Volume II, Issue IX 1 May 2000 Laughing for the Fun of It By Janet Hoffmann Today I was talking with a friend who was talking about how she has finally learned to laugh—not just laugh—but to really laugh . . . with all her heart and soul. She told me how for years she was a social laugher. You might ask what a social laugher is. It is a person who laughs because s/he is supposed to laugh when others think they are being funny or when they just said something supposedly funny. In other words a social laugher is someone who has to force his or her laughter. How many times today did you laugh a real laugh—one from your gut, not just from your throat? Do you ever wake up in the night laughing from a funny dream? Have you ever had a day that you laughed because everything that happened was so awful? I have. I do it all the time. Do you laugh when watching a movie or are you one that says, “I’m laughing inside.” Inside laughers like me, watch movies and really think they are funny but, for some reason, don’t laugh out loud. They say laughter is like a medicine so I’m missing out on a good health technique when I keep it inside, or maybe my insides are just really healthy. I love to watch a funny movie with one of my daughters because she makes me laugh just listening to her enjoy the movie. Laughing a real belly laugh makes you feel better unless, of course, you just had an operation or broke your ribs. One of our daughters had a serious pain in her side. While we were in the emergency room my husband and I were telling funny stories while waiting for the doctor. She started laughing, telling us to please quit making her laugh. We stopped talking but she couldn’t quit laughing—an awful predicament to be in. I wonder what it is in us that makes us physically laugh when something is funny. Our girls seem to think our prayers are funny. Sometimes they giggle all through the prayer blaming each other because none of them really know why they disrupted our prayer. Why is it usually the girls that laugh? They are also the ones that wet their pants while laughing. I won’t mention any names. I love it when someone thinks something is amusing. They try to tell you how comical it was but you can’t figure out what was so funny. They are laughing so hard they are crying. The more you stare at them the harder they laugh until they are in tears. I’ve always wondered if the tears come from embarrassment. My dad tells funny stories where he is laughing so hard you can’t understand a word he is saying. We don’t have a clue what he is talking about but we are all laughing because the laughter is contagious. If you don’t know how to laugh, learn how to, like my friend did. She is thrilled that she can now have fun laughing. Make sure to enjoy life more. I hope we will all take time to laugh with our families. Thanks Christy. How about a Parent’s night out? Enjoy your evening knowing your kids are in a fun and safe environment. Awesome activities, dinner provided!! Friday, May 19th 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Old Firehouse Child Care L.C. and Preschool Call for more details 745-5600 Reservations required Learning Language Children begin very early in life to acquire language skills. Language helps children gain independence, interact with others and participate in the surrounding culture. It plays a role in social interaction and expression of emotions, as well as learning. Most children follow a sequence of language development: crying and cooing, babbling, first words, and first sentences. By the age of five, most children have developed a proficiency in oral language, and use it effectively to accomplish their purposes and meet their needs. Even very young children are soothed by the mere voices of loved ones. Sing, chant, and carry on casual conversations with children—whether or not they answer or even before they are able to understand. Children tune in more than we sometimes realize. The language they hear is the raw material from which their own language develops—and through which much of their learning about the world takes place. Kids learn a lot when adults simply talk to them in the course of daily activities such a cooking, bathing, and doing chores. Riding in the car or on a bus—or even pushing the shopping cart—parents can comment on what they see along the way. And there is a fringe benefit of keeping up a running conversation: the child is less likely to get bored and to misbehave. When you plan a family outing or special event, talk about it with your child beforehand and afterward. Anticipating and recalling experiences not only promotes the children’s language development but also increases their knowledge and understanding. Songs, fingerplays, and nursery rhymes are especially good for introducing children to the patterns and rhythms of language. And being read to is a real joy. When we take the time to read aloud and converse with our children, they learn to value language—as well as our company. Note: This article is provided by Old Firehouse Child Care. This information is taken from Family-Friendly Communications for Early Childhood Programs, published by the NAEYC. Deborah Diffly and Kathy Morrison, editors. 1996. Reflections of a Mother Author unknown I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you. I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn. I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you. I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it. I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe. I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you. I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside. I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you. I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you. I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish. I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor. I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you. I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure. I can tell you the facts of life, but I can’t build your reputation. I can tell you about drink, but I can’t say “no” for you. I can warn you about drugs, but I can’t prevent you from using them. I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can’t achieve them for you. I can teach you about kindness, but I can’t force you to be gracious. I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral. I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life. I can love you with unconditional love all of my life…..and I will! 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