Tickling to make the baby laugh: should or not?

While tickling is one of the most common forms of parental play with their children, it can negatively affect the child's thinking.

People still misunderstand that tickling is very harmless and does not affect anyone. In fact, if subjective, this game brings many negative effects that make you impossible. If you are wondering why, let's find out with aFamilyToday Health .

1. Misleading reaction

Although many parents often tickle their baby in a certain position or parts of the body just because they want them to laugh, this does not mean they enjoy this prank. When tickled, you easily laugh. This is your body's automatic response like a foreign body has entered your nose, and you will be sneezing. So, understand that a joke that you think is fun can make your child not excited even if he laughs.

2. Affect young children's thinking

Babies in their toddler age or a little older cannot understand and tell their parents if they like tickling or not. However, if you force your child to participate in this joke, you will accidentally cause your baby to have problems with body control. From a child's point of view, you would think that adults have the right to do something they want on the baby's body even if the child has asked to stop it.

In addition to care, parents need to educate their children about the idea that only babies can control their own bodies, not others. If someone wants to hug or shake the child's hand, they will have to consult the child first, thereby reducing the risk of the baby being abused. You will also know which adult actions are not correct and respond immediately.

3. Teach your children to protect themselves

One study found that early teaching of self-determination is an important life skill , affecting the child's personality development in the future. Research results also show that if parents approach their children more comfortably and let their children find out what they want to do, it will help their children to have independent thinking. Therefore, children will know how to express their consent or objections if parents want to tickle or someone else accidentally touches the child too intimately.

4. Select other games

Instead of tickling, you can refer to a few suggestions to have fun with your child:

Reading:  Ask your baby if he or she wants to sit on their parents' lap and read their favorite fairy tales together.

Massage:  Some babies will benefit from massage, which helps to soothe a newborn's mood, aid in weight gain and control body temperature. Parents can apply this activity to toddlers.

Action games:  If your goal is to have fun connecting with your child through movement, try games like blindfolding, catching goats, hide and seek ...