Know your child's language

By Gary Chapman, PH.D and Ross Campbell, M.D.

Children experience love in a variety of ways. The five primary ways children experience love can be called love languages: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service.

All children need love expressed in all of the love languages, just as a child needs a balanced diet. However, a child’s primary love language is the language that speaks loudest to the child. Its results are quicker and deeper than the other languages.

If you have more than one child, chances are they have different love languages. However, children under age 5 do not tend to exhibit a primary love language. Consider the following practical ways to show each love language to your child.