Young Children’s Humour in Play and Moments of Everyday Life in ECEC Centres

Abstract

The aim of our study is to identify elements of young children’s shared humour by observing children’s own expressions in the everyday life of early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres aged 1–6 in three Finnish ECEC centres. Our analysis shows that young children’s humour plays an important role in routine transitions and play situations. Children’s shared humour is often seen as momentary twinkles, as a flowing current, as carnivalism or what we term “hyperfun.” The article highlights why humour should be more utilised as a pedagogical tool. This study attempts to enrich the discussion on young children’s shared humour in order to gain a deeper understanding of its nature and application in early childhood education and care.