Why do we yawn?
Ooh, a yawn is a big, slow stretch for your face and your lungs!
Pip’s answer
- Ooh, a yawn is a big, slow stretch for your face and your lungs!
- It might help cool your brain and wake you up a little. Even scientists are still finding out!
- And yawns are catching, hee hee! Seeing someone yawn can make you yawn too.
Try it together
Can you do a big, slow pretend yawn with me?
For grown-ups
Scientists still are not certain why we yawn. One leading idea is that yawning helps cool the brain by drawing in air and increasing blood flow. Yawns are also contagious: seeing, hearing or even reading about yawning can trigger one, which may be linked to empathy and social bonding.
Ask your child: Did you yawn while we talked about yawning?
More questions kids ask
- 😴Why do we need to sleep?
- ❤️Why does my heart beat?
- 🐱Why do cats purr?
- 🧼Why do I have to wash my hands?
- 🪥Why do I have to brush my teeth?
- 👂How do we hear sounds?
Got your own why?
Hold Pip, ask anything out loud, and watch the answer come to life.
Ask Pip your own question