Laughter and singing help us pass the time and connect to others. Telling jokes and making music can also aid in our socialization and development as well as alleviating our anxieties. Find out about the jokes cycles and playground songs that help children cope with their world and learn how to operate in the world at large. We’re joined by Fernando Orejuela from Indiana University in our exploration of the sounds of the playground.

Explore:

• Stop Me If You’ve Heard This: A History and Philosophy of Jokes by Jim Holt
• American Children’s Folklore by Simon J. Cronner
• The Musical Playground: Global Tradition and Change in Children’s Songs and Games by Kathryn Marsh

If you want to automatically download future episodes, subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.