How Does Your Child Learn “Love”?

30th December 2024

1 minute read

Children feel love from the very first moments of their lives. Even before birth, the fetus recognizes the mother’s voice and feels her love, which contributes to building a secure attachment. Experts describe this attachment as a process that develops through daily care, where the infant feels comfort and trust when their basic needs, such as feeding and care, are met.

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A secure attachment forms naturally when the child realizes that their caregivers reliably meet their needs. This type of attachment starts from the very first moment and is strengthened through skin-to-skin bonding, listening to the mother’s voice, and hearing her heartbeat, providing a sense of safety and reassurance.

Children express their love in nonverbal ways, such as:

The look of love: The child focuses on their parents’ eyes as part of the bonding process.
Recognizing scents: Children can recognize their parents’ scent, enhancing their sense of security.
Hugging and clinging: Holding onto their mother’s or father’s arms is a way for the child to show trust and emotional connection.
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Children enjoy receiving affectionate gestures like hugs and kisses, which are an essential part of forming a secure attachment. Promptly responding to their needs strengthens their sense of importance and love.

According to Parents, here are the stages of a child’s love development:

From 1 to 3 months: The child begins to develop a social smile in response to play and attention.
From 4 to 6 months: They start imitating facial expressions and respond with laughter.
From 7 to 9 months: “Stranger anxiety” emerges as a necessary developmental stage, reflecting deep attachment to their caregivers.
From 10 to 12 months: The child begins associating words with emotions, paving the way for expressions of love like “Mama” or “I love you.”