Love Is Something Children Learn by Feeling It First
Teaching Children What Love Feels Like ? One Moment at a Time
February is often filled with hearts, cards, and bright decorations ? but for children, love is learned in much quieter ways.
As I stood in front of the class, teaching my students,my heart would grow full watching the children interact and grow to understand love, not because it was explained to them, but because it was shown to them.
Love looks like:
- A parent sitting beside them after a hard day
- A calm voice when emotions feel big
- Someone taking time to listen without rushing
- Showing care and patience as they "help" you
- To a child, love is not a big speech.
- Love is a feeling of safety.
How Children Experience Love
Children learn love through everyday moments:
- Reading together before bedtime
- Coloring side by side at the kitchen table
- Laughing over simple stories
- Being hugged just because
These moments may seem small to adults, but to a child, they are powerful.
They teach children:
- ?I am safe.?
- ?I am seen.?
- ?I am loved just as I am.?
This is why stories and coloring are so meaningful.
They slow the world down and open space for connection.
Love Grows Best When We Slow Down
- When children color, their hands are busy ? and their hearts are open.
- When we read together, children feel close, calm, and secure.
- Often, the best conversations happen:
- While crayons are moving
- While pages are turning
- When there is no pressure to talk
- That?s when children begin to share what they feel.
Books about love help children understand:
- Kindness
- Patience
- Forgiveness
- Caring for others ? and themselves
Simple Love-Filled Activities You Can Do at Home
Here are a few gentle, joyful ways to help children experience love this Valentine?s season:
? Read Together
Choose a story about kindness and love. Let your child sit close. Let them ask questions. Let the moment be unhurried.
? Color Together
Sit beside your child and color with them ? not just nearby, but together. Talk about the colors they choose and what makes them happy.
? Love Talk
Ask simple questions:
- ?What makes you feel loved??
- ?How do you show love to others??
- ?Where do you see love today??
? Kindness Hearts
Cut out paper hearts and write kind actions on them like:
- Help a friend
- Say thank you
- Give a hug
Place them somewhere your child can see.
Love Is a Feeling ? and a Skill
Children don?t just feel love ? they learn how to give it.
They practice love when they:
- Share
- Say sorry
- Help someone who is sad
- Show kindness in small ways
Stories and coloring books that focus on love help children see these actions reflected back to them ? in ways they understand.
That?s why we created Beau?s book Love Is Everywhere and our new Love-themed coloring book ? to give families a simple, meaningful way to share love through reading, creativity, and time together.
These books are not meant to be rushed.
They are meant to be shared.
You can explore the full collection of Beau?s coloring books here:
? https://beckyabooks.com/beaus-coloring-books
A Valentine?s Reminder for Parents
This Valentine?s Day, remember:
- You don?t need perfect words
- You don?t need big gestures
- You just need presence
- A few quiet moments?
- A shared story?
- A coloring page filled with hearts?