“Ha ha, ho ho!”
My two-year-old has started practising intentional laughter. He’ll suddenly stop what he’s doing, look up at me with a smile, and begin saying ‘ha ha, ho ho’. Then he waits to see if I’ll join in.
Of course I do.
We laugh together for a few seconds, finish with one of our little laughter cheers, and then carry on with our day. He goes back to playing, and I return to my laptop.
It only lasts a moment, but those moments are incredibly valuable.
They remind us that we’re connected. They help us both reset. They create little pockets of joy in an ordinary day.
Although laughing together now feels completely natural, it didn’t happen by accident. It grew from intentionally bringing playfulness into our everyday life from the time he was a baby.
The good news is that you can do the same.
Start Small
You don’t need to be naturally silly or full of energy.
Begin with eye contact and a warm smile. Let your baby see that you’re inviting them into something playful and safe.
Then simply start the motions of laughter. You don’t even need to feel genuinely amused. Try a gentle “ha ha ha” or “ho ho ho” while smiling.
If your baby is very young or easily startled, keep your laughter soft and calm at first. As they become familiar with it, they’ll often begin smiling, copying your expressions, or even laughing back.
Let Yourself Feel the Benefits Too
Laughter isn’t only for your child.
The physical act of laughing encourages deeper breathing, helps release tension, and gives your body a chance to relax. Even a minute of intentional laughter can help interrupt stress and shift your mood.
Open your mouth fully, let the laughter come naturally, and don’t worry if it feels a little unusual at first. Many parents find it becomes easier after just a few tries.
Create a Simple Daily Ritual
You don’t need a special activity or lots of time.
Try laughing together for just 30 seconds while changing a nappy, getting dressed, waiting for the kettle to boil, or before bedtime.
You could even finish with a playful cheer, like the classic laughter yoga favourite:
“Very good, very good… yay!”
These tiny moments of connection often become the moments children remember most.
Why Playfulness Matters
Playfulness helps children feel emotionally safe and connected. It strengthens your relationship and creates opportunities for shared joy, even on busy or stressful days.
As parents, we’re also modelling healthy ways to regulate our own emotions. When our children regularly experience laughter, breathing, and moments of connection with us, they’re learning practical wellbeing tools they can carry into later life.
We can’t remove every challenge they’ll face, but we can help equip them with simple ways to cope with stress before they become overwhelmed.
Join a Laugh & Connect Session
If you’d like to experience these playful wellbeing activities alongside other parents and children, I’d love to welcome you to one of my Laugh & Connect sessions.
Together we use laughter, breathing, movement, songs, and playful connection to support both parent and child wellbeing in a warm, relaxed environment.
Sometimes all it takes is one shared laugh to make both you and your little one feel a little lighter.