Hugs and Cuddles Very Important

Hug to Start the Day!!

How can we can express and receive love so children will understand and be reassured they are loved? In the “The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively” Drs. Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell emphasize the importance of many forms of hugs.

   Although each child is a distinct individual, children respond to five primary love languages: affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. The key is finding the best way each child expresses and understands love and then communicating our love in that primary language often.

   We can express our love in other ways, but there is one primary language an individual understands best. Chapman and Campbell explain how to find the best language, express it, and solve problems by using it.

Babies’ Needs

  According to Drs. Chapman and Campbell, “babies who are held, caressed, and kissed often develop a healthier emotional life.”  Physical touch is one of love’s strongest languages dating back to recorded history across cultures.  It shouts, “I love you!”   This is one of the first things therapists teach nervous parents.

Children Need the Tender Touch of Caregivers!

  All children need to be touched and receive the tender touch of care givers. Evidence of holding and cuddling is an important qualification to look for in day care of babies. “A baby deserves loving and gentle touches whether in changing diapers, feeding or carrying.” Babies can tell the difference between gentle, harsh, or irritating touches and voices. Gently touch baby’s little fingers, toes, arms, legs tummy, nose and ears. Pat and kiss a baby’s head and softly tell how much he is loved.

  As children become toddlers, preschoolers and school age, wrestling on the floor, riding piggyback, playful loving touches, bear hugs, and fist bumps are loving touches for boys and girls. Boys receive fewer than than girls, not good, according to Drs. Chapman and Campbell. Both need to understand they are loved to meet life’s challenges.

Hugs and Security

  According to these doctors a hug to start the day may mean “the difference between emotional security and insecurity throughout the day.  A hug when the child returns may determine whether your child has a quiet evening of positive mental and physical activity or makes a rambunctious effort to get your attention. Home is a haven, the place where love is secure.”  As children get older, they still long for physical
affection like a touch on the arm, a pat on the back, or a quick hug.

   Some great physical touch books for babies include “Where is Baby’s Belly Button”, “Daddy Hugs”, and “County Kisses” by Karen Katz; “If Animals Kissed Goodnight” by Ann Whitford Hall; “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle; and “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” by Annie Kubler.

For more go to -  grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30 am and pod casts archived on the site.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos