As a parent, I faced a significant hurdle in encouraging my son to embrace reading, a passion of mine that I couldn’t wait to share with him. It wasn’t until we stumbled upon the infamous Captain Underpants series, filled with its crude humor, that he began to ignite a love for books. There he was, flashlight in hand, chuckling under the covers late into the night.
Initially, I was skeptical of those silly, crude stories. However, I had to acknowledge that my son was finally reading—something I couldn’t achieve despite my best efforts. Captain Underpants may have introduced some juvenile humor into our home, but it also paved the way for him to explore other literature, such as the Harry Potter series and A Dog’s Purpose. Perhaps there’s a place for booger and fart jokes, even if they make parents roll their eyes dramatically.
Connecting Through Humor
Dr. Mark Sullivan, a pediatrician and author, employs similar tactics in his practice, using bodily humor to connect with young patients. He’s known for bringing up topics that might be considered silly or childish during consultations, which, as he recently shared in an NPR interview, serves an important purpose. “Adults worry about their ailments,” he explained. “Kids are anxious about what’s going to happen to them.”
This approach can ease the tension during pediatric visits. I once attempted to discuss the 2016 election with my son when he asked about Donald Trump. As soon as I started explaining, he lost interest and resorted to making fart noises with his armpit. Finding common ground to discuss with kids can be quite the challenge. Not everyone can keep up with the latest episodes of My Little Pony, and trying to decode the complexities of Minecraft can feel like deciphering an alien language (trust me on this!). And don’t even get me started on YouTube Kids—I have three children, and the chaos there is endless.
Thus, instead of trying to keep pace with kids’ ever-changing interests, Dr. Sullivan aims for the lowest common denominator—body humor. Just as my son began reading more due to Captain Underpants, Dr. Sullivan noted that kids are more open to trusting him and following his medical advice when he starts off with a light-hearted joke.
“Research shows that spending just a minute discussing unrelated topics during a consultation can lead to higher satisfaction and better compliance with medical recommendations,” he noted. “It’s not just fluff; it truly impacts healthcare outcomes.”
Occasionally, however, Dr. Sullivan’s humor doesn’t land as planned. He’s received feedback from parents who feel he needs to refine his approach. Yet, he also recalls instances in the ER where children were terrified, and after engaging them with relatable humor, he experienced remarkable results: “I swear I could have put a tube in the child’s throat, and he would have said ‘Thank you.’ He was totally captivated.”
Dr. Sullivan has also authored children’s books about the human body, blending fun and factual information. His latest book, The Amazing Body, stands out as it combines medical knowledge with the entertainingly gross aspects of our biology.
The Positive Impact of Humor
The essence of all this is that leveraging humor—especially the kind that’s a bit gross—can encourage children to engage in activities they might otherwise avoid. If talking about farts and boogers inspires a child to pick up a book, that’s a positive outcome. Additionally, if it alleviates the anxiety some kids experience at the doctor’s office, leading them to be more compliant patients, then we’re onto something valuable.
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In summary, while booger and fart jokes may seem juvenile, they can serve a significant role in easing children’s fears, making them more receptive to reading and medical advice. By utilizing humor, parents and professionals can foster better connections with children, ultimately supporting their health and well-being.
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