Despite what we may think, new research released today shows it's the simple pleasures that make kids smile the most.
Parenting on Female First
In a top thirty list, ‘being read stories by parents’ comes in at 13 beating technology, with ‘using the iPad’ at 22 and ‘gadgets’ at 26.
The research from Colgate, which surveyed 4,000 children and adults, found that it's the simple money-can't-buy fun and attention that make children smile the most.
Playing with friends comes in at number one with over half of four-tweleve years olds saying it makes them smile the most.
Melanie C, former Spice Girl and Tesco Celebrity Mum of the Year, is supporting Colgate’s campaign to help vulnerable children across the UK. which raises vital funds for Barnardo’s.
Melanie comments: “My daughter always makes me smile no matter how bad my day. Children apparently smile an incredible 400 times a day – not quite the 5 million they think they do, but it’s still an awful lot compared with the 10% of adults polled who said they never smiled! A smile lifts your mood, makes you feel happier and even raises your endorphins – plus it’s the first thing people notice about you.”
When asked what made them laugh, kids found people falling over, telling jokes, being tickled, their family, pulling funny faces and their pets all made them laugh.
Barnardo’s Director, Allan McLaren, comments: “It’s the simple things that make children smile. The things that are easy to take for granted that sadly, some children in Britain rarely experience.”