WHY DO BABIES LAUGH?

What most of us probably haven’t done is stopped to think about why babies laugh at things. Whether it’s tickling their tummy or making funny faces, parents usually have a way for making their baby chuckle. Happily, mums and dads appear to score equally when it comes to making a baby chortle. According to a report by Dr Caspar Addyman, a Research Fellow at London Birkbeck University’s Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development — or the BabyLab as it has been dubbed. He is overseeing one of the biggest studies into what makes babies laugh, and why, it’s the boys who seem to have the biggest sense of humour, with parents reporting their sons laughed nearly 50 times a day in contrast to a mere 37 for daughters.Equally, a small number reported their baby didn’t laugh at all for the first 12 months. This suggests babies have a range of temperaments that are present from early on.’ However, This could be reinforced by the behaviour of parents,’ says Dr Addyman. ‘If you think your boy baby is laughing more, you may try to make them laugh more.’ ‘Laughter is foremost a social thing. You laugh in company,’ he says. 'One of the clearest bits of evidence we’ve found is that it is not necessarily what you are doing, but the fact you are present with your baby that’s important — that is why they are happy.1 ‘Crying is a signal they want something to change, while smiling or laughter is the opposite — it says keep doing what you’re doing.’ - Dr Caspar Addyman ‘The interesting thing, too, is that most parents play games instinctively because babies have an amazing way of getting adults to do stupid things that benefit everyone. 'It makes them laugh, but it is a bonding experience, too, which is really important. The first way to get babies to laugh is through touch,’ says Dr Addyman. ‘Tickling has deep evolutionary roots that come from being a mammal. It’s partly related to grooming, a vital function that is also pleasurable.’ it doesn’t take long for a baby to respond to the anticipation of being tickled as much as the act itself.’Less surprising was that the laughter was linked to parental touch. 'Ninety per cent of babies have smiled in the first two months and laughed just a few weeks after that, while we have had reports from parents that their baby has laughed unambiguously at just a few weeks old. Sometimes a baby’s laughter is triumphant — a form of “I have made this happen,’’ ’ says Dr Addyman. ‘And sometimes it can just be because there is a pleasing noise or sensation that is new to them. I think there can be a cause-and-effect connection, too so tell me, what makes your baby laugh? Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2580540/Why-babies-laugh-Thats-scientist-set-learn-tantalising-results.

ungrateful help

Happy new year to you all. I just want to rant a bit on how ungrateful and selfish maids can be. I had a maid brought to me from the village last April, three months after I gave birth cos I has to resume work. A Very neat and hardworking girl. And the kids loved her. What did I not do for this girl? Never raised my voice at her, Paid her salary every month end, bought toiletries and weavons for her every month end, gave her money to make her hair, buy clothes, bought her a new phone, give her days off. When she came, I opened an account for her and held unto the withdrawal booklet, she went behind my back to request for an Atm and kept withdrawing from her salary instead of saving for university as her folks are very poor. I advise her tiya, I later realized she was sending money home to a guy, not to her parents. She told me she was travelling for Xmas, I promised her a raise in January, as well as jamb classes and jamb form, bought her bag of rice and Semo, Xmas clothes for her parents, three different Xmas clothes for her, to mention but a few. I kept asking if she would return, she said yes. I called her recently to ask when she wants to return so I can send transport , and she said she is not coming back cos of some trivial issues like why my husband blocked African magic channel when he noticed she was more interested in that than the kids, she has free reins to the kitchen but prefers drinks and fruits reserved for my husband, so he complains etc, I asked about her schooling and she said whenever God wants her to go to school, she will go. No be God wan use us to help you so? She is 23yrs old. I spoke to the mum, who said they will call back but didn’t. I can get help from the village very easily but since the kids were already used to her and training a new person all over again, I decided to call her again. see someone I wanted to help her future oh, giving me attitude. I just bone her and the mama, I just pray she doesn’t become pregnant for one village okada rider soon. After looking for another help who promised to come at the end of the month, I decided to ask an idle married woman in my church to help with the kids for three (half days)days a week for three weeks, to pay her 5k a week, she said she will come to my house with her three kids as they are home schooled, she offered to move in with us with her kids but I refused cos my house is small and I don’t really know her however I agreed she comes with the kids, even went out to purchase cartoon of noodles and beverages for their comfort, only for her to send me a nasty text that if I cannot pay her 25k for the 3weeks I should look for someone else, that she cannot settle for worse just cos she is idle…hia!! I was angry but told her thanks, I understand. My husband asked me to raise the pay to 20k but I refused, instead I’ll take them to my mum’s until the new help arrives. I have been so bothered and just wanted a place to poor out my emotions, sorry guys for the long post, hopefully these three weeks will sort itself out by God’s exceeding grace.