According to Gary Chapman, inside every child is an emotional tank waiting to be filled with love. Child psychologists have stated, across many strata of research, that if children would be emotionally stable, some of their basic emotional needs must be met. Among several others, the need

To do this effectively, it is important to know the five love languages to communicate love with children. This is because children express and experience love in different ways, and learning this helps build connection and relationship with a child. These love languages are discussed below:

1. Making Physical Touch: This involves making physical touch to convey love to the heart of your child. Physical touch could be through hugs, kisses, or pat on the head. Below is how this can further be done:

• Hug and kiss your child before they leave for school and pat their backs during serious discussions
• Give each other a high-five or a pat on the back whenever you see your child doing something positive
• Spend time providing comfort like wiping their body with towels when your child is unwell

ALSO READ: How to help nurture the creativity in your child this summer

2. Saying Words of Affirmation: Affirmation involves sharing encouraging words, giving verbal compliments, and speaking words of appreciation to a child. These help a child to affirm their self-worth. Below is how to do this:

• Tell them encouraging words and affirm their efforts when they have done something well
• Write them a letter letting them know how special they are to you
• Create a special name of affection for your child that is used between the two of you

3. Making Quality Time: Quality involves giving undivided attention to your child. In a time and period where parents are very busy with work, it is important to create time with the child to create emotional connections. Below is how this can be done:

• Make eye contact with your child when they come up to talk to you 
• Spend time helping your children with their homework
• Look at the stars or take walks together and have conversations

4. Giving Gifts: Gifts here speak to undeserved gifts as an expression of love given to your child. These gifts can be accompanied by little notes of affirmation words, hugs, and kisses that let the child know you cherish them. Below is how to do this:

• Buy personalized gifts with name of your child on it and that fits their interest
• Hide a small gift in your child’s lunchbox
• Create a photo album or book about them

ALSO READ: Parental Burnout - Description, Causes, Symptoms and Solutions

5. Providing Acts of Service: Letting your children know you are making sacrifices for them has a way of making them feel loved and appreciative of what you are doing for them. Subtly, acts of service can be shown through some of the actions below:

• Give a surprise room makeover
• Help to fix their toys when they break them
• Once in a while, make their favorite meals

It must be re-emphasised that, usually, a combination of languages works for children as against one. Also, practicing the above-mentioned should not be one-off activities but continual engagement. More importantly, through committing to these, there is a guarantee that an emotionally wholesome and nourished child would be raised: the very goal of every parent.

We hope you found this useful. Would you need some support to fund your child's education such as a loan for tuition or buy them important stationery? Click HERE to access our low-interest education finance. No collateral and tedious paperwork required. Loan is disbursed within 24 hours.