Children who are shown affection feel loved. Touch, comfort, and attentiveness help them feel soothed, safe, and open to the world.
By Julie Leduc
Children who are shown affection feel loved. Touch, comfort, and attentiveness help them feel soothed, safe, and open to the world.
Affection is crucial for a child’s development. During infancy, when a child is fully dependent on their parents, affection is largely communicated through care and attention. “Being aware of your baby’s needs, responding quickly when they cry, feeding them lovingly, and making sure they have a clean diaper are all signs of affection that help establish a strong parent-child bond,” explains neuropsychologist Dr. Isabelle Bourgault.
When children receive mindful affection from their parents, they understand that they’re loved and valued. They feel safe, which gradually builds their self-esteem, giving them the confidence they need to explore their surroundings and learn new things.
Hugs for a healthy brain
To develop properly, the brain needs stimulation. Every time you look at your baby, cuddle them, or speak to them softly, you’re not only showing them affection; you’re also helping to shape their brain. For example, the brain region involved in memory, learning, and emotion regulation develops better in children who receive a lot of affection.
“The neural networks associated with pleasure, learning, and concentration develop more when children are shown affection,” says Dr. George Tarabulsy, a professor at Université Laval’s School of Psychology and scientific director of the Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles (CRUJeF), a research centre within the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. “In children who grow up in adverse environments, neural networks related to vigilance become more prominent.”
Behaviours that express love and comfort also help children learn to manage their emotions. “They’re able to be more attentive to their surroundings,” says Dr. Tarabulsy. “Newborns need help to regulate their negative emotions, and their developing brains respond to affection.”
When you show your child affection, they feel valued.
Hugs and kisses also send feel-good messages to the brain. “When children are cuddled, comforted, and pampered, they feel good,” says Dr. Bourgault. “They feel soothed and reassured, and their stress levels drop. As a result, they’re better able to learn.”
Behaviour and self-confidence
Affection also has a positive effect on a child’s behaviour. “When a child feels loved and understood by their parents, and trusts them implicitly, they tend to be more cooperative at home,” says Dr. Tarabulsy. This means they have an easier time following instructions.
Furthermore, children who get help when they need it and receive lots of affection have good self-esteem. “It helps develop their autonomy and ability to trust others,” says Dr. Bourgault. “They’re able to build strong relationships with others and seek help from people other than their parents.”
Different ages, different needs
A child will always need love and affection. Certain needs, however, will take precedence at different stages of their development.
Birth to 1 year: Over the first 12 months, basic care is a parent’s primary means of conveying affection. “In short, you need to be responsive to your baby’s cries, meet their needs, and stimulate their senses,” says Dr. Bourgault. “For instance, talk to your baby and make eye contact during a diaper change. Touch, hold, rock, wear, and cuddle your baby so they can become familiar with your smell. It will make them feel safe and help you create a strong attachment bond.”
1 to 2 years: At this age, your child is becoming more confident as they explore and try new things. Despite their growing independence, they still need reassurance. Routines, for instance, help them feel safe and calm. What’s more, these everyday moments are opportunities to give your little one extra affection. For example, you can give your child a bear hug after scooping them from the bath, rock them before bed, or sing them a lullaby after lights-out.
2 to 3 years: This is the age when children want to assert themselves and do things by themselves. Since they’re not always able to do what they want, they often get frustrated and struggle to manage their emotions. This can lead to tantrums. It’s very important that you continue to be affectionate with your child, even when they’re kicking and screaming. Keep calm and stay close to make sure they don’t hurt themself. When the tantrum is over, hold your child to comfort them. Try to help them verbalize what happened. Little by little, they’ll learn to accept these moments of frustration and express their feelings in different ways. At certain times, your child may prefer to be comforted by one parent over the other. This is simply a way for them to assert their independence.
3 to 5 years: Your child still needs affection but is increasingly independent and enjoys spending time with other kids. Of course, you can continue to cuddle and rock them. However, according to Dr. Tarabulsy, it’s also important to respect their boundaries and not force them to give or receive hugs or kisses. “Don’t worry,” he says, “your child will come snuggle up when they want to.” You can still express your love in other ways (e.g., through play, encouragement, words). Tucking your child in at bedtime and taking a moment to talk about their day can also be a great way of showing that you care.
As they become more independent, children will also seek out affection from other important adults in their lives (e.g., grandparents, friends, educators, teachers).
When a parent struggles to show affection
Cuddling, snuggling, and kissing often come naturally with a baby. However, some parents become less affectionate as their child grows up. Adults who weren’t shown outward affection in childhood may also have a harder time being affectionate.
Dr. Tarabulsy believes that parents who aren’t comfortable giving hugs and kisses can express their love in other ways. “Being available for your child, playing games with them, reading them stories, having conversations, and asking them questions are all great ways to show affection.”
That said, if your child is crying, hurt, or feeling sick, physical contact and hugs are important ways of comforting them. The bottom line is that “a positive reaction occurs when you take a child in your arms and hug them,” says Dr. Tarabulsy. “It makes them feel good. Touch fosters emotion regulation, which children need help with.” Dr. Bourgault agrees: “If your little one is reaching for you, and you’re available, the ideal way to respond is to pick them up or cuddle them.” If you can’t pick them up right away, tell your child that you understand what they need and that you’ll be with them as soon as possible.