Tell the same joke again

Laughing is part of how a baby this age concentrates on you — smiling, laughing, babbling and imitating, for many minutes at a stretch. A joke you simply repeat is the cheapest way to hand them one of those stretches. Nothing here has to be new or clever: whatever worked this morning is still the material tonight.

🛡️ Whatever the joke turns out to be, it stays on the floor: no throwing or tossing in the air, no swinging by the arms or hands, and nothing that jolts or snaps the head — a baby's neck cannot take it, and the harm from a single hard shake or jolt does not undo itself. Sounds, faces and gentle touch have the whole range you need. Stop at the first turn away, arched back or grizzle rather than going for one more laugh.