Jokes...should we encourage this?

[2shy2post]

My kids are obsessed with jokes. Especially knock-knock jokes. The only problem is that they only know one and they don't even really "get" that one. So they've just started making stuff up and laughing hysterically.

1. Is it appropriate to laugh at their "nonsense" jokes. It feels disengenuous and condescending.

2. Should we encourage the jokes?

3. If so, any recommendations for books with jokes for a 4 & 5 year-old?

Thanks!

[Freud]

Sure, they're developing humor, which is a good thing to have. Most jokes kids tell aren't that funny to adults, but they are to kids. I'd have no problem laughing at a not-so-funny kid's joke, and I do it all the time. Most of the time I end up laughing just because the kids are laughing, because laughter is pretty much contagious for me.

[Jessy1019]

My daughter does this sometimes, and I've known lots of other kids who did it as well. I don't generally force laughter over it.

There is an fairly easy reader riddle book that we got dd for Easter. The riddles are pretty simple and at least funny enough for me to laugh at a little. It's called "Riddles and More Riddles," not sure who the author is. I'm sure your kids could memorize some of them even if they can't read.

[j924]

There are a ton of joke books out there. We have several of the 500 joke variety as Knock Knock Who's there Poop really started to get old!

[Marysmama]

Knock Knock... Who's there?

Norma Lee...Norma Lee who?

Normaly I ring the doorbell!

The first time my dd told me this I laughed and laughed. I had never heard that one growing up.

Ok, on to your question. I think it takes practice and time. I agree with the idea of getting some knock knock joke books. And spend time practicing them. Soon they will get it and when they do it's really fun.

[2shy2post]

Thanks!

We'll have to go check out what the library has!

[Ruthla]

Knock knock
who's there?
Anita
Anita who?
I need a hug! (then you hug the child)

My 6yo does the same thing with the "not really funny" jokes. Sometimes I laugh just because he's laughing and it's contageious, other times it just annoys me and I tell him I'm not in a joking mood. It was easier when the girls were in this stage because they'd laugh at each other's jokes and they didn't need me for "an audience" quite as much.

[One_Girl]

Originally Posted by 2shy2post

My kids are obsessed with jokes. Especially knock-knock jokes. The only problem is that they only know one and they don't even really "get" that one. So they've just started making stuff up and laughing hysterically.

1. Is it appropriate to laugh at their "nonsense" jokes. It feels disengenuous and condescending.

2. Should we encourage the jokes?

3. If so, any recommendations for books with jokes for a 4 & 5 year-old?

Thanks!

1. Do you really think you would be making them feel better if you don't laugh or told them that their jokes make no sense? I am sure that my dd would be very sad if I didn't make an effort to laugh at her jokes. Telling jokes is something that is just so important to her right now and she gets the biggest smile on her face even when the joke makes absolutely no sense at all. It would crush her emotionally for me to not make an attempt. Sarcasm is condescending not laughing at nonesense joke and trying to have fun.

2. Yes you should encourage their jokes, it is a fun bonding activity and it has been my experience that it really makes my dd feel good to have her humor appreciated and encouraged even though it is not always the same as my humor. If you truly have a problem with encouraging jokes in your family than I don't think that you should encourage them to tell their jokes, but it sounds like you are just bored with the corny jokes and wanting them to skip ahead quickly to the stage where you are and that isn't going to happen anytime soon.

3. No book reccomendations, but if you google knock-knock jokes it comes up with a bunch or stuff some of it is right on track for the level of understanding that my dd (5.5 y/o) has and some really boring to her but funny to me.

[muttmom92]

My dd tells knock-knock jokes ALL the time. She doesn't really get the concept, so a lot of them don't make sense.

The one joke she learned was:

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Banana
Banana who?
Knock-knock
Who's there?
Banana
Banana who?
Knock-knock
Who's there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn't say banana?


Then it turned into:

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Banana
Banana who?
Banana glad I didn't say tomato? (What?)

Her latest was:

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad you didn't poop in your pants? (laughs hysterically at her own joke)

Why yes, DD, I am glad I didn't poop in my pants.

[ColwynsMommy]

I do laugh at their nonsense jokes, but mostly because I think that what they're trying to do is funny. Most of my kids' nonsense jokes are knock-knock jokes, too, like this:

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Straw.
Straw who?
Strawberry!

Um.. okay. Well, I think it's cute.. maybe I'm just easily amused.

[Needle in the Hay]

We've had:

Why is 6 afraid of 7?
Because 7 ate 9
turn into Why is 7 afraid of 8? Because 8 9 10 and so on.
I might just smile and say "that darn 8" or something. It's all about having fun with them.

Also
Knock knock
Who's there?
Lettuce
Lettuce who?
Let us in, it's cold out here!

and DS' version
Knock knock
who's there?
Tomato
Tomato who?
Let us in or I'll throw tomatoes!

And
Knock knock
Who's there?
Hello
Hello who?
HEL-LO! I want to come in, duh!

Some other (real) jokes my DS loves that your kids might like:

What did the earth say to the earthquake?
You crack me up!

What did one wall say to the other wall?
I'll meet you at the corner.

Why did the boy sprinkle sugar on his pillow?
He wanted to have sweet dreams.

[Needle in the Hay]

Originally Posted by ColwynsMommy

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Straw.
Straw who?
Strawberry!

Um.. okay. Well, I think it's cute.. maybe I'm just easily amused.

I think it's cute too!
I also liked the "Norma Lee" joke Marysmama posted. I just told it to my DS, he liked it too.