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Paper 2025-17

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26883/2010.251.6615

ПЕДАГОГИКА НА УСМИВКАТА: МЯСТОТО НА ХУМОРА В СЪВРЕМЕННОТО НАЧАЛНО УЧИЛИЩЕ

Мария Николаева Николова
Софийски университет „Св. Климент Охридски“, София

PEDAGOGY OF THE SMILE: THE PLACE OF HUMOR IN THE MODERN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Mariya Nikolaeva Nikolova
Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski“, Sofia

Abstract: The article explores the place of humor in modern primary school through the concept of „smile pedagogy”, considering humor not simply as an entertainment element, but as a strategic tool in primary school education. Humor is considered a strategic pedagogical resource capable of influencing learning motivation, social dynamics and the emotional climate in the classroom. The aim of the study is to analyze the opportunities, risks and real impact of humor on the educational process and the overall development of students at the primary stage.
The article proposes a typology of humor in an educational context, including: pedagogical humor (aimed at explanation and illustration), „social“ humor (focused on relationships), teacher self-irony (promoting closeness and humanity) and game-comic elements (related to students’ imagination and creative activity).
The results of a qualitative study based on the analysis of reflective essays written by primary school teachers on the topic of using humor in their own pedagogical practice are presented. The content analysis reveals main themes: humor as a means of coping with difficult situations, as a catalyst for learning motivation, and as a tool for building trust and belonging. The article argues for the need to train teachers for the ethical, conscious, and effective use of humor as part of their professional toolkit.

Keywords: didactic humor, learning motivation, emotional climate in the classroom, creative activity, pedagogical
resources

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