Nadia Buckus
Touch is an essential human need. It affects brain development.
No matter who is responsible for the care of a child, touch needs to be considered as important and prominently as healthy nutrition or education.
READ: BLOG: Helping children deal with trauma
Touch is important because it can help soothe a child, teach that the world is safe and that they can trust others to ask for help.
Not touching, or not hugging a child for instance, while they are young, can instill fear of the world; or, it can cause them to devalue themselves and their needs.
It is clear from our own experiences, even as adults, that affectionate touch is enjoyable. At least it should communicate feelings of love, safety and comfort. Some people don’t like to be touched, and that’s fine.
But the understanding of touch as a human need, especially in childhood, is relatable. Science confirms that hugs, for instance, release oxytocin in our bodies.
This is a hormone that allows the feeling of a sense of bonding and the ‘good feeling’ we get from a hug.
We should be benefiting from the ever-huggable children while they’re young – because their touch can do us some good too.
ALSO READ: BLOG: Helping learners deal with trauma – part two
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