Few things in life are more
delightful than sharing in the laughter of a baby. Until
now, however, psychologists and parenting experts have largely focused on
moments of stress and confusion. Developmental psychologist Caspar Addyman
decided to change that.
Since 2012 Caspar has run the Baby Laughter
project, collecting data, videos and stories from parents all over the world.
This has provided a fascinating window into what babies are learning and how
they develop cognitively and emotionally. Deeper than that, he has observed
laughter as the purest form of human connection. It creates a bond that parents
and infants share as they navigate the challenges of childhood.
Moving chronologically through the first two
years of life, The Laughing Baby explores the origin story for our
incredible abilities. In the playful daily lives of babies, we find the beginnings of art, science, music and
happiness. Our infancy is central to what makes us human,
and understanding why babies laugh is key to understanding ourselves.
