Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. For 47 glorious minutes, I breathed in unison with my napping 3-year-old. It didn’t start out so peacefully, though. I initially put my arms around Ellery to soothe her anger toward her sister. I think it involved a toy she didn’t want to share. That’s just life with toddlers. You know how it goes. Thankfully, she’d fallen asleep wrapped in my hug. The small act of physically holding her helped her feel comforted, loved, and apparently very sleepy.
As your child grows, you’ll be able to pinpoint her primary love language—physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, or acts of service. But, right now, your toddler’s love language begins and ends with you—her favorite person. If you’re wondering how to show affection to your child, pick any of these 44 little ways.
- Snuggle up under a cozy blanket.
- Put on bathing suits and play in the bathtub—during the day!
- Blow bubbles.
- Share a snack.
- Build a blanket fort and create a secret world inside.
- Go for a walk at her pace.
- Finger paint outside.
- Take a nap together.
- Read a book at night with a flashlight.
- Lay on a blanket outside and point out what shapes you each see in the clouds.
- Tickle fight!
- Hold her hand when she sits in the grocery cart.
- Create a special hug, handshake, or dance just for the two of you.
- Give her a piggyback ride for no reason.
- Put on his favorite song in the car and sing together at the top of your lungs with the windows down!
- Bake pancakes together and let her add in as many chocolate chips as she wants.
- Make eye contact when he’s talking to you.
- Play her favorite game for the 57th time.
- Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt after dinner. Not only is this how to show affection to your child, but a walk before bedtime can help your little one sleep better!
- Instead of eating dinner at the table, spread out a tablecloth in the living room for an indoor picnic.
- Do a simple science experiment together, like mixing baking soda and vinegar.
- Accept every rock, plucked wildflower (um, weed), or broken shell she offers you on the playground.
- Save your Amazon boxes for a few months and then build a fort with them.
- Go stargazing and point out constellations or the International Space Station as it orbits overhead. We use this app.
- Decorate his bedroom door with streamers for no reason.
- Be a calm anchor during her meltdown. (By the way, this will be how to show affection to your child throughout the growing-up years!)
- Ask lots of questions about something that interests him, like his favorite TV show, dinosaurs, Nutella on toast! (Hey, toddlers like interesting and random stuff.)
- Teach her how to sign I LOVE YOU. Then, “talk” with each other without saying the words. Sign language also offers nonverbal children a way to express love.
- Record a short video of yourself singing your special song.
- Make a “pirate snack.” It’s like a regular snack but with a hidden treat at the bottom of the bowl! Think: Cup of popcorn with M&Ms at the bottom.
- Ask for forgiveness when you make a mistake, and offer forgiveness when he makes one, too.
- Start the day with an extra cuddle time.
- Get him a balloon at the store.
- Show her patience when she insists on getting dressed all by herself.
- Say yes to the tea party or monster truck mash.
- Color together.
- Make up a holiday together and celebrate. Hello, “Move Like a Monkey Day!”
- Play in the sprinkler with her.
- Notice and acknowledge his feelings.
- Say yes to bubbles in the bath.
- Pick him up and dance together.
- Catch fireflies in your pajamas. Then, let them go.
- Encourage him by saying, “Look what you can do!”
- Cuddle him until he falls asleep, just like when he was a baby.
What’s your toddler’s favorite way to receive love from you?
