When you master a new skill or gain new understanding, there's a great feeling that goes with it - the 'Yes!' feeling. And when you 'get a joke' the body's physiological response is similar.
For children, this means that jokes and humour in the classroom give you a chance to teach them what leaning feels like. This will contribute to their understanding and management of learning.
It's also simply good fun to have a laugh with your class.
A similar feeling comes with the solving of lateral thinking problems - 'Oh yes, I get it now!'. A Thinking classroom can have a daily lateral thinking problem as a warm-up activity. Children are always able to give many more credible answers than the one provided. Their minds are stretched and challenged before their breakfasts have settled.
Try this one with your learners:
What holds water but is full of holes?
Typical answers (from children): A sponge, a watering can, skin, Gortex, a holed bucket in another bucket, a plastic cup with 'hole' written on it many times.