The brain that loves to laugh

Laughter is often treated as a pleasant extra, or even a distraction from learning. Drawing on their work across psychology, education, health and community contexts, Dr Jacqueline Harding and Dr Jawad Shah explore how shared laughter can support connection, curiosity, hope and resilience, while making space for children's full emotional lives. What becomes possible when joy is taken seriously?

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-brain-that-loves-to-laugh/

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Our 2027 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· The brain that loves to play, with Dr Jacqueline Harding: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-brain-that-loves-to-play/

· Why children need joy, with Ben Kingston-Hughes: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/why-children-need-joy/

· Bringing the joy back to early childhood, with Aaron Bradbury: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/bringing-the-joy-back-to-early-childhood-2/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:18 – Introduction to the podcast and guests
03:45 – Why did you write the book The Brain That Loves to Laugh?
07:11 – Human connection, safety and laughter
09:55 – Creating an emotional ecosystem around children
13:11 – Play, laughter and neuroplasticity: The Kentucky spinal unit
16:30 – The universality of laughter, joy and resilience
18:27 – Why laughter is not 'fluffy' and the language of hope
20:27 – Hope as a protective factor and the role of community
22:33 – Moving beyond fear-based pedagogy: Play, joy and attainment
27:04 – Laughter, emotional connection and the purpose of education
29:43 – What happens in the brain when we laugh?
31:49 – Is play fundamental to early childhood and learning?
34:36 – Using humour and fun to support learning
36:55 – Does laughter lead to chaos? Connection, behaviour and joy
37:50 – Why negative experiences can overshadow the positive
40:03 – Modelling mistakes, humour and emotional resilience
43:03 – Peer relationships, problem-solving and resilience
43:43 – Co-regulation, self-regulation and resilience
44:00 – Final reflections on joy, laughter and play
45:43 – See Dr Jacqueline Harding at our 2027 Conference

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com