24 | Winter 2022
How to Speak the Five Love Languages With Your Kids PAM MOORE
contributing writer
Haven’t we all left a copy of The Five Love Languages on our partner’s side of the bed at some point? (Or maybe that’s just me.) According to the book’s author, Gary Chapman, the five love languages are: • Physical affection • Acts of service • Quality time • Words of praise • Receiving gifts While you might hope to come home to flowers after an argument, your partner might prefer you volunteer to do the dishes to show you care. According to the author, the key to a healthy relationship is for each person to
express love in their partner’s preferred love language, instead of their own.
neurodevelopment in infants. But the need for touch — whether a hug or a fist bump — doesn’t end with infancy. Physical affection lets kids He says this concept applies to children, too. know you care, and that you will listen when According to child therapist Megan Cronin they’re ready to talk. But what if your child’s love Larson, a child’s primary love language typically language is touch and you’re not a big hugger? emerges around age 3 or 4. While you can Licensed psychotherapist and play therapist respond to cues from your child to figure Brenna Hicks recommends parents “keep the out what his or her love language is, in The physical touch small but consistent. [It] can be as 5 Love Languages of Children, Gary Chapman simple as placing your hand on a child’s shoulder encourages parents to use all five love languages as you pass by, rubbing their head a few times with their children, in order to lay a healthy on the couch, or giving them a quick kiss on the foundation for future relationships. forehead. It isn’t necessarily long bear hugs.” PHYSICAL AFFECTION Research shows that touch is vital to healthy
You could… • Give a back rub
