What's your Child's Love Language?
As we know, children need different kinds of attention and affection. The Five Love Languages is a resource that can help families discover how to respond and better understand their children. It can also help to create a more positive environment in the home and at school for children. With the Five Love Languages tools, families can build a strong foundation in order to assist their child/children with successful learning and continue to show unconditional love. Strong connections and unconditional love are tools that help to support more positive behaviors and relationships for everyone in a family. Additionally, this information helps to further support a child's overall well-being and can promote self-love.
Please keep reading to learn more about the Five Love Languages.
Breaking Down the Love Languages
1. Physical Touch: The use of non-verbal communication to express love. For example, holding hands, hugs, pats on the back/shoulder, or high fives.
2. Gift Giving: The use of a tangible gift that a person can treasure when received. For example, flowers you pick, sentimental cards/notes, crafts, or their favorite snack.
3. Words of Affirmation: The use of verbal communication that is encouraging and includes uplifting statements. For example, write a positive note, practice positive self-talk and affirmations, praising them in front of others.
4. Quality Time: The use of uninterrupted and one-on-one quality time with another person. This time should be spent with one person at a time to ensure undivided attention is given. For example, cook together, solo walks/bike rides, or structure the day with small time slots to spend interacting with them.
5. Acts of Service: The use of helping another person to accomplish a task without expecting anything in return and giving the other person the tools and skills to help others when needed. For example, surprise them by doing one of their chores, ask "What can make your day better?" or pick up their favorite treat from the store.
As a family, talk about the Five Love Languages and which mean the most to you. If your child best receives love through words of affirmation, quality time may not have the same beneficial impact that you are intending. When we understand the Five Love Languages and how to communicate kindness and appreciation to others in the way they like to receive it, we are all communicating at the highest level. Everyone feels loved and appreciated differently and that's ok. In a Five Love Languages family, we all love each other in the way that we like to be loved and cared for!
Click the image above to read more about the Five Love Languages. What is your love language?
Teaching Kids about Self-love
Additional Resources to Explore
Websites
1. 5 Love Languages for Kids: A Simple Guide to Using Love Languages: https://simplyonpurpose.org/5-love-languages-for-kids-a-simple-guide-to-using-love-languages/2. Self-love and What it Means:
https://www.bbrfoundation.org/blog/self-love-and-what-it-means
Books
1. Giraffe's Can't Dance
2. Imani's Moon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1934133582?tag=childrensli00-20&keywords=Imani%27s%20Moon&geniuslink=true