April Series Overview: The Five Love Languages of Children
This workshop comes from the book, Five Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary Chapman. Thanks to Anderson Hills for sharing the information in a workshop format. This is based on a biblical idea that God loves his people in five ways, and therefore we give and receive love in these ways too.
Have you read?
Part #1 – Defining the Love Languages
Part #2 – How to Spot a Love Language?
The Five Love Languages of Children, Part #3
There is a terminology in the book to describe how much love a child is receiving. It is said to keep their “love tank” full. Just a car will run low on gas, a love tank will need to be refilled over and over. The following are methods for filling a child’s love tank, for each of the five love languages.
Words of Encouragement:
- Be generous with praise when they do well
- Make up a story with them as the hero
- Describe what you like about them
- Speak softly
- Leave notes
- Say “I love you”
- Share a personal story with them
- Honor them at a special meal
- Ask their advice
Gift Giving:
- Share your treasures with them
- Wrap gifts for them, even projects, or rocks!
- Give them space to display their things
- Protect their property from others
- Respect their property
- Express gratitude for their every gift – even funny stories
- Allow them to hold on to their writings
Acts of Service:
- Serve them breakfast in bed
- Fix their broken projects or toys
- Ask them for help with a task
- Give them regular chores and express gratitude for their completion
- Pay attention to their bedroom environment, decorating and upgrading will be appreciated
- Teach them to help with jobs around the room
- Help them with assignments
- Teach them to cook.
Quality Time and Attention:
- Get down on their eye level and listen
- If talking to a child and someone interrupts, say “Ill talk with you after I finish talking with _______ ”
- Plan mom-dates and dad-dates
- Make time to chat after school, for walks and drives, shopping excursions
- Serve make-believe ‘tea parties’
- Work with them on a project together
- Read together and tell stories
Physical Touch and Closeness
- Give “high fives” and pats on the back
- Take time to tousle their hair
- Give hugs as needed
- Give piggybacks
- Hold hands while walking
- Sit close while reading
- Share cuddles, snuggles and kisses
- Stay “handy”
- Work side by side
- Give cuddly toys to play with or when sad
Visit the Five Love Languages website, here.
Check in next week, Part #4 – Discipline and the Five Love Languages
