Brilliant Brains - how laughter and surprise help your baby learn

Dad 1

Peek-a-boo!

Trish (health visitor)

When did you first notice a right laugh?

Mum 1

I would say it was probably about 16 kind of weeks old, it was definitely when I went 'achoo' and she was just sat on the couch and thought that was absolutely hilarious.

Mum 2

We started playing peek-a-boo when she was three-and-a-half months old and she instinctively reacted to it. Earlier she used to smile then that developed into a big laugh.

Cristina (SLT)

These games that involve laughter and surprise create shared experiences between you and your baby. Their brains release feel-good hormones that strengthen their bond with you.

Trish

Does he like the element of surprise?

Mum 3

Oh aye, he loves a wee game of peek-a-boo. You like when mummy kids on she's going to eat your toes.

Cristina

Every baby is different, some like boisterous games, some like quieter, gentler games. The important thing is to find what works for you and your baby and the things that they enjoy.

Mum 3

Oh they're coming, ah they're coming tickle tickle tickle.

Trish

Do you see her listening and watching you and then she'll respond with her laughter or her smile?I'll do peek-a-boo and then let her realise 'Oh, gosh' and she'll do that kind of face and then the giggles kind of come from that so it's that kind of clicking in her head like: ‘oh this has been a surprise'.

Cristina

When your baby is laughing, parts of the brain that are associated with emotions are activated, like the amygdala and the hippocampus. These areas are also connected to memory and recognising faces and that's why sharing laughter is a really important and helpful thing to do for your baby’s communication development.