How to raise a loving child

All parents want their children to be affectionate and loving, but you do not always know how to achieve this by educating them. Adults should do whatever they can to help young children learn to empathize based on all relationships. For a child to become affectionate, they must first learn to be empathetic and understand their own feelings and those of others.

THROUGH THE WORDS

Younger children may not have all the words to express how they feel and that is why it is necessary for parents to guide them in this process and allow them to understand their emotions through words. You have to name the emotions and when a child feels it, it will be the parents who help him to recognize these feelings. When a child understands his emotions, it will be easier for him to understand those of others when he sees them.

BE HIS GUIDE ALONG THE WAY

Children learn from you, looking at you even if they don’t tell you anything. Seeing how you interact with other people is one of the most powerful ways your child develops empathy. Use any opportunity that occurs to show your sensitivity. For example, ask your partner how the day was, your son if he is happy at school, your neighbor how he is doing with the operation they did recently, etc.

When you model empathy, you show your child how to do it too. In this way, chances are that your child is already following your example . Have you ever noticed that they use a high-pitched, sing-song tone when trying to comfort another child? When your toddler comforts another person, use the tone of voice and body language his parents used to comfort him in times of need. Young children try to help the way they were helped first.

GIVE PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES

When children are young, it is normal that the wishes of your children and yours are not always in sync. When your baby was a baby and wanted to eat, you wanted to feed him. Now when your child wants to eat, but a great ice cream, you may tell him that this is not the best option.

Give your child the opportunity to realize that the feelings of others may not be the same as theirs. This is achieved by encouraging interaction with different types of people. It will teach you that people think and feel differently, starting with the basics, like, ‘My mom likes broccoli, but my aunt doesn’t.

As your child grows, you can empower other practical ways of recognizing and meeting the needs of others. Allowing him to help care for a family pet, for example, will give him a daily opportunity to think outside of himself. If your child notices a crying child in his playgroup, tell him something is wrong and help him empathize by saying something like; ‘Shall we give him a toy?’ The gesture may reassure the other child or it may not. Either way, your toddler will have valuable practice learning how to respond to someone else’s feelings. 

GIVE YOUR LOVE AND YOUR AFFECTION

And of course, for a child to learn to be affectionate with himself and with others, it is essential that others be affectionate with him. Therefore, the unconditional love of parents is necessary so that children feel loved and loved all the time. Teach your child correct ways to express his love and affection for other people, he will learn to be loved by loving others!