As a parent, I faced challenges getting my son engaged in reading, which was particularly disheartening given my passion for books. However, everything changed when he stumbled upon the notorious Captain Underpants series, filled with its humorous blend of potty jokes. Suddenly, my son was sneaking late-night reading sessions, flashlight in hand, chuckling under his covers.
Initially skeptical of these seemingly crude stories, I soon realized that they were encouraging him to read—something I had struggled to achieve through conventional means. While Captain Underpants may have introduced a wave of lowbrow humor into our home, it ultimately paved the way for my son to enjoy more sophisticated reads, such as Harry Potter and A Dog’s Purpose. This leads to an intriguing possibility: perhaps booger and fart jokes do have a valid place in a child’s life, despite the eye rolls they often elicit from parents.
Dr. Michael Roberts, a pediatrician and author, adopts a similar approach in his practice, integrating booger and fart jokes during consultations. In a recent interview with NPR, he explained that this method is rooted in purpose. “Adults are usually anxious about their health,” he noted. “Children, however, are apprehensive about medical procedures.” By addressing subjects that resonate with kids, he alleviates some of their anxiety. I once attempted to discuss the 2016 election with my son when he asked about Donald Trump, and as soon as I started explaining, he lost interest and responded with a loud fart noise from his armpit. Talk about a conversation killer!
Engaging children in meaningful dialogue can be tricky, especially when we aren’t well-versed in their interests. With three kids myself, keeping up with the latest trends—be it My Little Pony or the ever-evolving landscape of YouTube Kids—can be daunting. Instead of trying to navigate these complexities, Dr. Roberts opts for the most straightforward form of humor: bodily functions. Just as my son’s reading flourished thanks to Captain Underpants, Dr. Roberts has observed that kids are more inclined to trust him and heed his advice when he opens consultations with a light-hearted joke.
Research indicates that when healthcare providers spend a few moments discussing unrelated topics, patients often leave feeling more satisfied and are more likely to follow medical advice. This practice can significantly influence healthcare outcomes. However, Dr. Roberts has also faced criticism from some parents who feel his approach is too juvenile. Nevertheless, he has witnessed remarkable transformations in frightened children during emergency visits; by establishing a connection through humor, he’s managed to ease their fears effectively.
In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Roberts has authored children’s books about the human body. While he discusses some of the less glamorous aspects of our physiology, he also provides educational insights into why our bodies function the way they do. His latest work, The Marvelous Body, uniquely combines medical facts with engaging gross-out humor.
Ultimately, using humor—especially of the silly variety—to encourage children to read or to ease their nerves in a medical setting can be quite effective. If talking about farts and boogers gets kids excited about books, that’s a win in my book. And if it helps to alleviate the tension during doctor visits, making children more compliant patients, then we’re looking at a beneficial approach.
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In conclusion, embracing a little bit of silliness in parenting can go a long way in fostering literacy and easing anxieties. Sometimes, the best connections with our kids come from the most unexpected places.