| The field of humor research is based upon a strong foundation that supports the concept that a sense of humor is a beneficial quality for one to possess. In addition, those exposed to humor as a regular component of their daily lives benefit in a variety of ways. While many studies have involved adults, the research centering on young children is limited. More specifically, a focus on young children with special needs is a void in the current literature.;For this investigation, a teacher survey, classroom observation, and teacher interview were developed and utilized to gather data to examine the use of humor in early childhood special education settings. These instruments were employed to gather data regarding teacher perceptions of humor, actual examples of humor in the classroom, and teacher opinions of supports that may help them to use humor more frequently and efficiently in the classroom.;The study data were collected from early childhood special education teachers from one cohort (N = 158), identified by a Midwestern state's department of education. In Phase I, in response to the study survey, teachers reported their perceptions of the ways humor was used in their classrooms with children who have special needs. From this sample, 12 classrooms were selected for Phase II and subsequently observed to collect examples of actual humorous incidents occurring in these settings. In addition, the teachers of these 12 classrooms participated in individual interviews.;The major findings of the study indicated a frequent use of humor in the sampled early childhood special education classrooms. In this sample, children with particular types of disabilities such as cognitive impairments utilized humor more frequently than their peers with other disabilities. In addition, humor was frequent between children and adults in these classrooms, and was primarily social in nature. Future research is needed to examine how children with a variety of disabilities may benefit from humor in the classroom and how teachers may utilize humor in instruction and guidance of young children with disabilities. |
