The Five Love Languages – Week 5 – Physical Touch

Mark 10:16 "He [Jesus] took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

This week at Bridge Kids, we reviewed each Love Language and our language focus last week, Acts of Service. Our main focus this week was Physical Touch. We discussed showing love to others by providing loving touch. We also discussed ways God has shown us Physical Touch – Jesus healing lepers (the grossest people on the planet at that time), Physical Healing, Giving us positive people in our lives that provide hugs and kisses.

We started out reviewing unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always. Love God, Love Others as Self.

Today, we began with everyone giving each other a high-five. And discussed how high-fiving made them feel. Then, we talked about our emotional fuel tanks and how a friendly pat on the back or hug can show someone you care about them. We discussed when a person’s primary Love Language is Physical Touch, holding their hand or snuggling while reading a book are expressions of love that helps fill up their “love-tank”. We discussed appropriate hugs, high-fives, dancing (of course), fun snuggle times with parents while reading or watching a movie, holding hands, shoulder rides, being pushed on the swing, etc are all things we can do to show our love through touch. We also briefly discussed if someone’s touch makes them embarrassed, uncomfortable or feel wrong, they have the right to express how that touch makes them feel. They should also tell someone they trust, immediately, if someone is misusing the Love Language of Physical Touch and expressions of love should never make you feel yucky.
Today, each Bridge Kid traced their hands on paper, cut them out and decorated them. We then created a tree out of all the hands to show how positive loving touch makes us grow stronger emotionally. We discussed how positive loving touch is a way of filling the love tank of the other person, as well as their very own love tank.

We challenged them to find small ways of showing love through Physical Touch to their parents this week – so look out for those fun hugs and high-fives!!



Dine and Dish:
The Love Language of Physical Touch should be done appropriate to age. For example, your 11 year old son may not want to be hugged or kissed in public. If that is embarrassing to him, don’t do it. But if your 4 year old loves it, go for it. Physical touch should never be used inappropriately. It can and will skew your child’s view of love in a very negative way. If used appropriately, it can and will prepare them for a healthy adult life.

Talk – Talk to your kids about safety in physical touch. Empower your children to speak up if someone tries to be inappropriate or makes them feel embarrassed. Make sure your kids know they can tell you about instances where they feel uncomfortable. Even if it’s something as simple and harmless as, “Mom, it’s embarrassing to me when you kiss me on the cheek in front of my friends.” Let your kids know there is an open line of communication between you and them and you respect your child’s boundaries.

Do an activity together: If you are a parent who is timid about giving loving touch to your kids, start with something brief and simple, like a pat on the back for doing a good job, or placing your hand on your child’s shoulder while they are standing next to you.
Wheel Barrel Races – Did you ever do wheel barrel races when you were a kid? Try it out with your own! If you only have one child, set up an obstacle course around the living room or in the backyard.
Duck, Duck, Goose – Play Duck, Duck, Goose with your kids. Not only do you tap them on the head when they are chosen, if you catch them (or they catch you) it’s a fun hug, which can represent loving touch.
Everybody CONGA!! – When it’s bedtime, line up the family, put on some night time music and Conga your way to bed. It will get out last minute energy before bedtime and it’s fun!
Snuggle Times – Read a book or watch a movie together. Let your kids sit on your lap or close enough to you that you are touching. You can also place your hand on your child’s head during this time, indicating you want them close to you.
Swing – Play on the swings together. Push your child while they are swinging and let them try to push you. This is the perfect time for “Under Dogs”.
Belly Laughs – Everyone lay on the floor with your head on another person’s stomach. Once person let’s out a loud, “HA!” which will make your stomach expand and retract quickly, which in turn will bounce the person’s head…which then causes everyone to laugh and giggle.