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Inside: Discover easy and powerful ideas to help you connect with your child using the third of the 5 love languages of children: quality time. They can make a big difference and help you build a strong relationship with your child!
Discovering the 5 love languages of children and using them to show kids how loved they are will unlock their heart and make them very happy!
This is why I decided to start a series of articles focused on easy ideas to express love and connect with the kids using the love languages.
If your child has physical touch as their primary love language you’ll find here easy ideas that you can use anytime you want to make them feel loved.
The 5 love languages of children
The concept of love languages was introduced by Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell. They explained that people have different ways to express and receive love. It’s very important for any relationship to be able to “speak” the love language of the partner.
This applies to couple relationships but also to the parent-child relationships and any other close relationships in our lives. They focused more on how this applies to kids in their book – “The five love languages of children“.
The 5 love languages of children are physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, and quality time.
How to discover your child’s love language
Learning the love language of your child can have a big impact on your relationship. It was a lesson that was very precious to me and I’m sure that it can make a big difference for you too!
Here are some easy ways to do discover your child’s love language:
- aks your child what makes them feel loved
- try to use the 5 love languages one by one and notice how your child reacts to each of them
- for young children use role play using stuffed animals to find out how your child sees love
- notice how your child expresses their love for you (it might offer you good clues on how they want to receive love).
People usually have one primary love language and one secondary love language so don’t be surprised if you discover characteristics from two or more categories.
You can find more details about the 5 love languages of children and their importance in this article.
Love languages of children: Quality time
Kids who have quality time as their primary love language enjoy doing activities with you (like watching movies or playing board games).
They ask for your time and attention and they love to see you spending time with them.
If your child fits into this category, here are some easy ways to show them love and make them feel happy.
1. Spend a special time with your child every day.
2. Listen to your child’s stories and show interest in what they have to share.
3. Keep a journal together. (I love this mom-son journal and there is also a lovely mom-daughter version.)
4. Play silly games and laugh together.
5. Watch a movie together.
6. Go to the library and read books together.
7. Have a pillow talk every night and invite your child to talk about their day.
8. Go to your child’s favorite ice-cream shop and enjoy delicious ice-creams.
9. Plan regular mom-child dates (here is a list of awesome date ideas).
10. Go for nature walks together.
11. Make a project together (e.g. create a family vision board).
12. Find creative ways to include your child in your activities and spend more time together.
13. Plan a regular activity for you and your child to do together (like an art class, a sport, or anything else your child likes).
14. Have your child help you with chores (we use family contributions and they have been a great way for us to work together as a team).
15. Create family traditions that foster connection and enjoy them with your child.
16. Go on a scavenger hunt together.
17. Head to an event or visit a museum together.
18. Join the Playful Connection Challenge and enjoy 5 days of play and connection with your child.
19. Plan a weekend getaway, offer your child your undivided attention, and have fun together.
20. Make eye-contact and stop what you are doing when your child wants to talk to you. This will make your child feel important and it will help you build a trustful relationship.
More ideas to help you connect with your kids
- The easy habit that will help you spend quality time with your child every day
- The magic relationship ratio that will make you a better parent
- 65 things to do with kids under five that will make them happy (and you too!)
Other love languages of children
>> Want to remember this? Share these ideas to your favorite Pinterest board!
photo credit: Evgeny Atamanenko / shutterstock.com
