Page 239 - The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

CHILDREN AND LOVE LANGUAGES

Does the concept of love languages apply to children? I
am often asked that question by those attending my
marriage seminars. My unqualified answer is yes. When
children are little, you don’t know their primary love
language. Therefore, pour on all five and you are bound to
hit it; but if you observe their behavior, you can learn their
primary love language rather early.
Bobby is six years old. When his father comes home
from work, Bobby jumps into his lap, reaches up, and
messes up his father’s hair. What is Bobby saying to his
father? “I want to be touched.” He is touching his father
because he wants to be touched. Bobby’s primary love
language is likely “Physical Touch.”
Patrick lives next door to Bobby. He is five and a half,
and he and Bobby are playmates. Patrick’s father,
however, faces a different scenario when he comes home
from work. Patrick says excitedly, “Come here, Daddy. I
want to show you something. Come here.”
His father says, “Just a minute, Patrick, I want to look
at the paper.”
Patrick leaves for a moment but is back in fifteen