The Importance of Expressing Love for Children
Think about the vast, strange world that surrounds a new baby in a family.
From earliest babyhood, he needs to be cuddled and held and loved, to help him feel a little more confident.
Fortunate, indeed, is the baby who arrives in a home where mother and father are not only delighted with him, but can express their delight and satisfaction.
At first, much of the parents' loving attention will be centered around satisfying the baby's physical needs.
Baby may be wet, too cold, too warm, or hungry.
He may be tired of lying in one position.
Frequently he tells his family about those discomforts by crying.
If his needs are met with loving care, he is most likely to be off to a good start.
The infant, upon only a few months old, will begin to enjoy the companionship of others.
Here again, his parents and the other family members can express their affection in very practical and tangible ways.
As he grows to the walking age, there are many ways that his family can show him that he is loved and wanted.
He can be given special attention.
His achievements, even when no more than being able to mess the food with his hands, can be recognized.
He can be rocked, held, lovingly squeezed, sung to and talk with.
This process continues during the preschool and school age years.
In most situations, parents are kept busy when there are several children in the family.
But each boy and girl needs to feel he or she belongs in a very special way to his mother and father, that he or she is important to them, that they like him and take pride in him.
Most parents will say, of course, that they love their children and they probably do.
But the real question is: do the young ones know it? Just how parents' affection is expressed is really an individual matter.
It depends on the particular parent and on the particular child.
Certainly, from the standpoint of the parent, expression of affection should be genuine - straight from the heart.
Still it is sometimes useful to know how other adults have helped their boys and girls to feel wanted and loved.
My sister, for example always has time to listen to her children's conversations and ideas.
In my uncle's family everyone, even a two-year-old, has a chance to talk at the dinner table.
So, in recognizing a child's effort, showing pleasure in his company, giving him the feeling that his parents like and want and need him even when his behavior is not all that is to be desired, and that no matter what mistakes he makes he is still an essential part of the family group - these are the basic in the healthy growth of boys and girls.
From earliest babyhood, he needs to be cuddled and held and loved, to help him feel a little more confident.
Fortunate, indeed, is the baby who arrives in a home where mother and father are not only delighted with him, but can express their delight and satisfaction.
At first, much of the parents' loving attention will be centered around satisfying the baby's physical needs.
Baby may be wet, too cold, too warm, or hungry.
He may be tired of lying in one position.
Frequently he tells his family about those discomforts by crying.
If his needs are met with loving care, he is most likely to be off to a good start.
The infant, upon only a few months old, will begin to enjoy the companionship of others.
Here again, his parents and the other family members can express their affection in very practical and tangible ways.
As he grows to the walking age, there are many ways that his family can show him that he is loved and wanted.
He can be given special attention.
His achievements, even when no more than being able to mess the food with his hands, can be recognized.
He can be rocked, held, lovingly squeezed, sung to and talk with.
This process continues during the preschool and school age years.
In most situations, parents are kept busy when there are several children in the family.
But each boy and girl needs to feel he or she belongs in a very special way to his mother and father, that he or she is important to them, that they like him and take pride in him.
Most parents will say, of course, that they love their children and they probably do.
But the real question is: do the young ones know it? Just how parents' affection is expressed is really an individual matter.
It depends on the particular parent and on the particular child.
Certainly, from the standpoint of the parent, expression of affection should be genuine - straight from the heart.
Still it is sometimes useful to know how other adults have helped their boys and girls to feel wanted and loved.
My sister, for example always has time to listen to her children's conversations and ideas.
In my uncle's family everyone, even a two-year-old, has a chance to talk at the dinner table.
So, in recognizing a child's effort, showing pleasure in his company, giving him the feeling that his parents like and want and need him even when his behavior is not all that is to be desired, and that no matter what mistakes he makes he is still an essential part of the family group - these are the basic in the healthy growth of boys and girls.
