When your child receives affection, she feels loved. Being hugged, consoled, rocked, and listened to also help her feel good, reassured and able to open herself up to the world.
By Julie Leduc
When your child receives affection, she feels loved. Being hugged, consoled, rocked, and listened to also help her feel good, reassured and able to open herself up to the world.
Children need to receive affection to develop well. As babies, they depend entirely on their parents. Affection is therefore mostly transmitted through care. “When you’re sensitive to your baby’s needs, when you answer her cries quickly, when you cuddle her as you feed her, when you make sure her diaper is dry, you are showing affection and helping to create a strong parent-child attachment,” explains neuropsychologist Isabelle Bourgault.
When your child receives affection, she understands that she is loved and that she has value. She feels safe, which also works to heighten her self-esteem. This is exactly what your child needs to explore the world around her and to learn new things.
It’s good for the brain
For the brain to develop properly, it needs to be stimulated. That means that when you look at your baby, when you touch him gently and speak to him softly, you not only demonstrate your love, you also promote his brain development. For example, the area associated with memory, learning, and emotional control develops better in a child who receives a lot of affection.
“There’s also evidence that more connections are formed between the neurons of children who receive a lot of love and nurturing,” says George Tarabulsy, professor with the School of Psychology at Université Laval and scientific director of the Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles du CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. Shows of affection, love and comfort also help toddlers learn to cope better with their emotions. “They’re therefore able to pay more attention to the world around them,” Tarabulsy adds.
Hugs and kisses send feel-good messages to the brain. “When a child is cuddled, comforted and showered with love, he feels good. He feels calm and reassured. He’s less stressed and less anxious, which makes him more receptive to learning,” says neuropsychologist Isabelle Bourgault.
Behaviour and self-confidence
Displays of affection also have a positive effect on child behaviour. “When toddlers feel loved and understood and have confidence in their parents, they tend to collaborate better with them,” explains George Tarabulsy. As a result, they find it easier to follow rules.
Children who get help when they need it and who receive a lot of love also develop a healthy dose of confidence in themselves. “This promotes their independence and their ability to trust others,” says Isabelle Bourgault. “They are able to have positive relationships with others and to seek help from people other than you.”
Different needs at different ages
A child always needs love and affection. However, some needs become more apparent than others at different stages of your child’s development.
From 0 to 1 year old : At this age, affection is transmitted mostly through the care you provide your baby. “What’s most important is answering your baby’s cries and needs and stimulating his senses,” says Isabelle Bourgault. “For example, look at your child and talk to him as you change his diaper. Touch him, pick him up, rock him, carry him and stay close to him so that he can smell you—all this helps him to develop his sense of safety and to create an attachment with you.”
1 to 2 years old : At this age, children build self-confidence, explore, and try new things. They become more independent, but they still have a strong need for reassurance. Routines, for example, bring them a sense of safety and make them feel more confident. These routine moments also give you opportunities to show your affection. For example, you can use wrapping your child up in her towel when she gets out of the bath as an opportunity to give her a big hug, to rock her or to sing her a song before bedtime.
When you give your child affection, you make her feel worthy.
2 to 3 years old : This is the age when children have a need to assert themselves and to do things on their own. Since they are not always able to do what they want and to manage their emotions, they experience a lot of frustration. This brings on temper tantrums. It’s very important to continue to show your child affection, even during a tantrum. You can stay close to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself and then hold him tight to comfort him once the tantrum is over. Afterwards, you can help him put words to what happened. He will gradually learn to accept frustration and to express his hurt or anger in a different way.
3 to 5 years old : Children still need hugs at this age, but they assert their independence more and more and want to be around other children. You can certainly continue to cuddle and rock them, but you also need to respect their limits and not force them into giving or receiving kisses or hugs, says George Tarabulsy, professor with the School of Psychology at Université Laval. “There’s no need to worry—your child will come to you on her own for a cuddle when she needs it.” You can still show affection in other ways, for example by playing with her, encouraging her, or telling her you love her and that you’re proud of her. Tucking your child into bed and taking a moment to listen and talk to her every night can also be a nice way to show her you’re interested in her.
When affection doesn’t come naturally…
Hugs, cuddles and kisses come naturally enough with babies, but some parents become less cuddly as their child grows. Also, if you didn’t receive much affection during your own childhood, you may have difficulty giving it.
Parents who aren’t comfortable with hugs and kisses can just as well show their love in other ways, professor Tarabulsy points out. “Being available for your child, playing with him, telling him a story, talking to him and asking him questions are all wonderful shows of affection.”
If a child doesn’t feel well, if he cries or is hurting, physical contact and hugs are important to soothe him, however. You need to know that “a positive reaction is produced when you take a child in your arms and hold him tight—it’s actually good for him,” notes Tarabulsy. “Physical contact helps a child cope with emotions, and children need that.” Neuropsychologist Isabelle Bourgault adds: “If your toddler reaches out to you, you need to pick him up or hug him. It’s important to be sensitive to his need for contact so that he doesn’t feel rejected.”