In which situation are toddlers and preschoolers least likely to laugh?

Toddlers and preschoolers typically have a limited understanding of humor, especially when it comes to jokes that involve wordplay or abstract concepts. They often find humor in the concrete and immediate rather than in something that requires a sophisticated grasp of language or complex ideas.

When they are told a joke, especially one that relies on language nuances, they may not fully understand it, leading to a lesser response in terms of laughter. In contrast, situations where they perceive something as silly or when they observe others laughing are more relatable to their experiences. These scenarios generally elicit laughter because they can recognize the humor in the moment, even if it is not based on a formal joke structure. Thus, the understanding that toddlers and preschoolers thrive on simple, clear forms of humor supports why they may be least likely to laugh at a joke compared to the other scenarios presented.