As a parent, I faced quite the challenge when it came to encouraging my son to read. This was particularly frustrating for me, given my own passion for books. The turning point came when we stumbled upon the infamous “Captain Underpants” series, filled with its outrageous humor surrounding bodily functions. Suddenly, my son was staying up late, flashlight in hand, giggling under the covers with a book in his grasp.
Initially, I had reservations about those books; they seemed silly and crude. Yet, in the midst of my disapproval, I realized that my son was finally engaged with reading—a feat I had previously struggled to achieve. The humor from Captain Underpants ultimately led him to explore more sophisticated literature, such as “Harry Potter” and “A Dog’s Purpose.” Perhaps there’s a valuable role for childish humor, even if it prompts a few eye rolls from parents.
Dr. Lisa Grant, a pediatrician and author, has embraced this same approach in her practice for years. Known for addressing topics reminiscent of Captain Underpants during patient visits, she explained in a recent interview how this technique serves a purpose. “Adults often worry about their health issues,” she noted. “Children, on the other hand, are more concerned about what might happen to them during their visit.”
This gap can be bridged through topics that resonate with kids. While they might not care about politics or the weather, they certainly find amusement in the silliness of bodily functions. I remember trying to explain the 2016 election to my son when he innocently asked about Donald Trump. As soon as I began, he lost interest and made a fart noise with his arm. It can be tricky to engage kids in conversation; not all parents are experts on the latest trends in “My Little Pony,” and navigating discussions about Minecraft can feel like decoding a foreign language.
Rather than keep up with every kid fad, Dr. Grant resorts to humor related to the human body. Just as my son developed a love for reading through those whimsical stories, Dr. Grant has found that starting her consultations with a fart joke encourages trust and compliance among her young patients.
“Research indicates that if I take a minute to chat about something unrelated to their reason for the visit, patients generally feel more satisfied and are more likely to follow my recommendations,” she explained. “This isn’t just about being nice; it genuinely impacts healthcare outcomes.”
However, Dr. Grant’s approach isn’t without its critics; some parents have even taken her out to lunch to discuss how to better engage with their children. But in more intense situations, such as in the ER, she’s witnessed remarkable results. “There was a child who, after I connected with him on his level, looked at me in awe. He was so at ease that I could have performed a procedure and he would have been grateful.”
Dr. Grant has also authored a series of books for children that delve into the human body. Her latest work, “The Amazing Body,” combines fun, gross topics with educational content about physiology and medical facts.
Ultimately, it seems that utilizing a bit of humor, even if it’s a little gross, can encourage children to engage in activities they might otherwise resist. If discussing farts and boogers can inspire a child to pick up a book or ease their anxiety in a medical setting, it’s certainly a win. After all, who wouldn’t prefer a child to willingly take their medicine rather than having to plug their nose while sneaking it in?
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Summary:
Booger and fart jokes, while often dismissed by parents, can serve a crucial role in a child’s development. They can foster a love for reading and ease anxiety in medical settings. Pediatrician Dr. Lisa Grant uses humor to build trust with her young patients, leading to better healthcare outcomes. Balancing fun and education through silly topics can help children engage with reading and health-related discussions.