HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR CHILD USING LOVE LANGUAGES

Love is a universal language, understood by all living things the world over. Each one of us has our own unique way of conveying and showing our love. Love languages are one such expression of affection.

As a parent, understanding your child's special love language can help you connect with them better and show them that you care. This can be especially important for children who have special needs or are struggling with any issues.

At thedatingmaven, your favorite toddler clothes online boutique, we know that showing your child you love them is the most important thing for you, and love languages are a great way to do that. So, let’s delve a little deeper and learn how you can connect with your little darling using love languages! 

WHAT ARE LOVE LANGUAGES?

Love languages are the ways people express and experience love. It is a way to express your feelings and thoughts in a language that they understand. These languages are not limited to romantic love, but can include familial love, friendship, and even self-love.

The concept of love languages was introduced by Gary Chapman in his book "The 5 Love Languages." He says that there are basically five main ways or languages in which people uniquely communicate love to one another. We all communicate on some level using all five languages, but Chapman believes that we each have one primary language that’s stronger than all the others. That is our love language.

Learn more about love languages at:

https://thedatingmaven.com/articles/the-5-love-languages-explained 

WHY ARE LOVE LANGUAGES IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN?

It’s incredibly important for your child to feel a clear and tangible expression of your love. And the best way to do this is by showing them love in their own love language, the one that works best for them.

Identifying your child’s love language can help you find small but vital ways to show them affection in a personalized manner. This helps you build a closer bond with them as well as lay a strong foundation for your child to grow up to be a happy, confident and well-adjusted adult.

This excellent article talks in further detail about the love languages of children:

https://thedatingmaven.com/a/love-languages-of-children 

WHAT ARE THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES?

Now that we have an idea about love languages in general, let’s take a closer look at the 5 Love Languages.

⭐️ PHYSICAL TOUCH

Children who have physical touch as their primary love language adore getting lots of hugs and kisses. They love cuddling up to Mom or Dad, and they also enjoy physical games like racing or wrestling.

How to connect with your child through physical touch:

•   Snuggle up together and read a book or watch a movie
•   Always tuck your kiddo into bed, and have some cosy cuddle time when they wake up
•   Give your child piggyback or shoulder rides often
•   Be generous with those big lingering bearhugs
•   Hold hands and give plenty of high-fives and fist bumps

Check out this video to know more about Physical Touch: 

⭐️ WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

These kids are greatly motivated by words of encouragement – praise and compliments are what they feed off. They bloom well with validation and positivity. They are also very sensitive to criticism and are more affected by stern verbal admonishments.

How to connect with your child through words of affirmation:

•   Use positive and encouraging words whenever you interact with them
•   Make it a point to mention and talk about their efforts and achievements
•   Praise them in front of friends and family
•   Say “I love you” often, put notes in their lunchboxes or leave love notes around the house for them to find
•   Avoid criticism and offer gentle guidance and advice when your kid makes a mistake

Here’s an informative video about Words of Affirmation: 

⭐️ QUALITY TIME

Children who have quality time as their primary love language enjoy doing activities with you, like playing board games or watching movies. These kids feel most valued when you choose to spend time with them, and they appreciate your undivided attention most of all.

How to connect with your child through quality time:

•   Play a lot with your little one – have kiddie tea parties, play with blocks or racing cars, or have a picnic in their play fort
•   Let your kid do everyday household chores with you, like folding laundry or cooking a meal
•   Schedule a date day and let your child pick an activity to do together
•   Have pillow time every night and talk about their day
•   Keep a shared journal together

Learn more about Quality Time in this cool video: 

⭐️ GIFTS

For these children, love is conveyed through the act of gift giving and receiving. These kids perceive getting a gift as a special moment, where the gifts are an extension of your love for them. For them, gifts are a symbol of love, to be valued and treasured for what they represent.

How to connect with your child through gifts:

•   Give unique and meaningful gifts like planting a sapling together in your garden
•   Bring them personal mementos, like a cool rock or a pretty leaf you found when you were out, that lets them know you were thinking of them
•   Give them gifts with a deeper meaning or significance such as a personalized journal or a piece of jewelry
•   Gift them some quality stationery so they can express their appreciation for the presents they receive
•   Create a special space for them to store their gifts and help them decorate and personalize it

Check out this excellent video about Gifts:  

⭐️ ACTS OF SERVICE

Children who have acts of service as their primary love language are happy when people do nice things for them. They appreciate thoughtful gestures and enjoy seeing you involved in their activities and projects.

How to connect with your child through acts of service:

•   Prepare your child’s favorite meal as a surprise
•   Help them with small tasks like cleaning their room or doing a school assignment
•   Give your kid special responsibilities that they particularly enjoy doing, like watering the plants
•   Surprise your child by doing a chore that they were supposed to do
•   Let your little one help anytime they want and let them know you appreciate their assistance

This great video talks more about Acts of Service:  

HOW CAN YOU DISCOVER YOUR CHILD’S LOVE LANGUAGE?

Learning the love language of your child can help strengthen and reinforce your relationship with them. Here are some easy ways to discover your child’s love language.

•   Try using the different love languages one by one and make a note of how your little one reacts to each of them
•   Talk to your child about love and what makes them feel cherished the most
•   Use role play with stuffed animals to observe how your little darling sees love
•   Note how your kid expresses their love for you to get clues on how they want to receive love

Remember that most people have one primary love language and one secondary love language. So, it’s likely that you may discover characteristics from two or more categories.

Here’s a cool quiz that anyone can take to discover their own unique love language!

https://thedatingmaven.com/quizzes/love-language 

Ultimately parenthood is a project in meeting a child’s need for love. When we fulfill our little one’s emotional needs by speaking their love language, we can be assured that we’re setting them up for success.

Stay tuned in to what your child’s behaviors and reactions tell you about the type of love they need, and there’s no doubt that you’ll continue to connect and reconnect as they grow. From all of us at thedatingmaven, your top choice for best kids’ fashion clothes, we hope that love keeps blooming in your lives!

Sending love from Be Kind blogs. Happy reading.