Why laughter matters for children's brains

I've spent my career exploring one big question: what helps children thrive? From advising governments and working with parents and practitioners, to contributing to children's television programmes such as Peter Rabbit, Bing, Teletubbies and Clangers, I've been fascinated by the ways young brains grow, learn and connect. 

As an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow at Middlesex University, Chair of the Bright Start Foundation, former BBC Education Editor and Headteacher, I've had the privilege of seeing child development from many different perspectives. My book The Brain that Loves to Play explored the science of play, and my latest book, The Brain that Loves to Laugh, takes that journey a step further. In the new book, I uncover the remarkable neuroscience behind one of childhood's most joyful experiences. So, why does laughter matter so much for children's brains? That's exactly what I'd like to share with you.

When I wrote The Brain that Loves to Laugh, I wanted to answer a simple but important question: why does laughter matter so much for children’s brain development? We often think of laughter as a pleasant extra. Something that happens when children are having fun. Yet neuroscience tells us that laughter is far more powerful than many people realise.

Laughter is not simply a reaction to something funny. It is a biological process that helps shape the developing brain. In many ways, it is one of the earliest and most important tools children have for learning, connecting and thriving.

The brain is built through experience

One of the most important discoveries in neuroscience is that children’s brains are shaped by their experiences. Every interaction helps build neural pathways. 

The experiences that happen repeatedly become the strongest connections in the brain.

This means that when children regularly experience joy, playfulness and shared laughter, they are not simply creating happy memories. They are helping to build brain architecture that supports learning, emotional wellbeing and healthy relationships. Early experiences matter because they provide the foundations upon which everything else is built.

Laughter is one of our first languages

Long before children can speak, they can laugh. Babies begin smiling and laughing during the earliest stages of life. These joyful exchanges are often shared with parents, grandparents and carers.

I find this fascinating because it tells us something important. Laughter is not an optional extra in human development. It is one of our earliest forms of communication.

When adults laugh with children, they create moments of connection. Eye contact, facial expressions and shared enjoyment all strengthen relationships. These experiences help children feel safe, valued and understood. Safety is essential for healthy brain development.

What happens inside the brain?

When children laugh, a remarkable chain of events takes place. Research shows that laughter can:

• Reduce stress hormones such as cortisol
• Increase dopamine, which supports motivation and learning
• Boost serotonin, which contributes to positive mood
• Release endorphins that create feelings of wellbeing
• Increase oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone”

Together, these changes create a brain environment that is ready to learn and grow. This is one reason why children often learn best when they feel relaxed, connected and engaged.

Laughter supports emotional resilience

People often ask me how children develop resilience. Many assume resilience comes only from overcoming challenges. Challenge certainly plays a role. However, resilience also depends on having strong emotional foundations.

Children need repeated experiences of safety, connection and joy. These experiences help them learn how positive emotional states feel. Over time, they develop an internal blueprint that supports emotional regulation.

Shared laughter contributes to this process by helping children build secure relationships, manage stress more effectively, develop confidence, strengthen emotional regulation skills and feel connected to others. In short, laughter helps create the emotional resources children need when difficulties arise.

Small moments make a big difference

One of the most encouraging findings from the research is that laughter does not have to be complicated. You do not need expensive resources or carefully planned activities.

Some of the most powerful moments include sharing a funny story, reading a humorous book, playing a silly game, pulling a funny face and laughing together at an unexpected moment.

These small interactions may seem insignificant at the time. Yet they are helping to build strong neural connections and positive emotional memories. The cumulative effect can be profound.

A simple but powerful gift

If there is one message, I hope readers take from The Brain that Loves to Laugh, it is this: laughter is not a distraction from learning and development. It is an essential part of it.

Every shared laugh is doing important work inside a child’s brain. It strengthens relationships, supports emotional wellbeing and helps create the foundations for future learning. In a world that often feels busy and demanding, we sometimes underestimate the value of simple moments of joy.

The science suggests we should do the opposite. When we laugh with children, we are not just creating happy memories. We are helping to build healthy brains that are ready to learn, connect and flourish.

Find out more about the new book The Brain That Loves to Laugh.