How children can get jokes from age two (but they are only as funny as their parents) Scientists are telling jokes to toddlers - to discover when children develop a sense of humour. A team of researchers clown around and tell basic jokes to tots, then measure their responses. The boffins discovered babies begin to get a sense of humour from the age of 18 months. The boffins discovered babies begin to get a sense of humour from the age of 18 months But they warned that children learn by copying adults - so they will only be as funny as their parents are. Psychologist Dr Meredith Gattis said: 'When we held a toy animal on top of our heads and giggled, most 19 to 24 month olds realised it was a joke action and copied it. By comparison, if a researcher tried to write with the wrong end of the pen and was disappointed most children realised it was a mistake and corrected them. The research took place at Cardiff University's School of Psychology which has been working with babies for the last 10 years as part of a 'development' project. Children learn by copying adults - so they will only be as funny as their parents are They looked at how infants learn by mimicry - dubbed the The King Louie effect because of the ape in the Jungle Book who sang: 'I Want To Be Like You'. The academics found parents speak differently to their children when they are joking, helping babies develop a sense of humour. And the discovered that by the time a child is two they should be able to tell what is funny and what isn't. Dr Gattis added: 'Children learn many things, including how to be funny, by imitating adults. Our research shows that a critical age for understanding humour is around the second birthday. At around two years the child begins to understand when you mean to do something that is entirely wrong, but funny. 'This finding helps us build an accurate picture of how children develop an understanding of people's minds.' Children as young as one start to become would-be impersonators and the mini-comedians are able to appreciate physical gags soon after this. But it's not until they're six or seven that they understand language well enough to master riddles, puns and other wordplay. Experts believe a well-developed sense of humour can boost a person's immune system, contribute to a more optimistic outlook on life, and increase self-esteem.