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Humor at the Center
November 9, 2012
Laughter gives us a distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it, and then move on.
-Bob Newhart
-Bob Newhart
"And a plan was created and put into place. A being was made real that was so horrible that even the meanest meanie was afraid. And the being was given a name: Licensing Lady. And the Licensing Lady was sent forth to do battle with the child care director..."
This is how Jerry Parr's article, "Humor as a Tool in the Workplace," which is included in the Beginnings Workshop Book, Child Development II, opens. To see what follows, you can read the entire article on the Exchange website.
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- Behavior
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- Environments
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- Professionalism
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsUnited States
I appreciate humor in the child care setting as much as anyone and agree that we do need more, but I must say I was a little offended by the meanie monster story. I have been a child care director, but am now a "Licensing Lady" and have worked VERY hard to create relaxed, comfortable relationships with the providers that I serve with the very intent of dispelling the "meanie monster" image that most people have. I always make sure I smile and laugh with them. I may be completely (and unintentionally) proving your point about PC or CC, but this story just made my heart hurt because this is the very reason I decided to take this job - not to do battle, but to create partnerships for the sake of the children. I am very saddened by this story and don't really find it funny - not because I am trying to squelch the humor, but because I think it is attitudes like this that propel the image. I don't want people to go into "battle mode" when they see me coming and I certainly don't want them to feel like they've been through a battle after I've left. This article was really good and brought a much needed message in this field, but it could have conveyed the same message without this story or at least without the stereotypes. I get why people would find it funny and why you would write a story like this, I just wish you hadn't.
DHHS
Lewiston, ME, United States
Dear Child Care Exchange, I received the Parr humor article from a co-worker and looked forward to enjoying it until I saw us typified as the ultimate in humorless Meanie Monsters! I can't think of two people who enjoy humor more than us! And especially in child cares! We should have a rule promoting humor in child care and prohibiting writers from scapegoating anyone in their attempts at humor; accountants, lawyers and licensing workers! Regards, The State Ladies
Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam
Just the other day I said to a colleague whilst working in a school, that there is not enough laughter in this class. I was substituting.
Generally there is not enough laughter in the world.
The emphasis on academics, in many centres and schools, has overridden many things including the art of laughter, making mistakes and learning through play.
It is very sad.
Love the wicked meanie story. Great!!!
Lets have more fun, laughter and interesting challenges for children.
Its how they learn about people and the world around them. It also destresses the adults!!
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