af • fec • tion   noun
a gentle feeling of fondness or liking / fondness, love, liking, tenderness, warmth, attachment, devotion, endearment, care, caring, friendship

During the month of February, we're flooded with images expressing love and affection. C.S. Lewis captured the essence of affection when he coined the following: "Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives." Affection, as defined, is a feeling. But affection only becomes lifegiving when it is put into action and freely given (and received).

Sadly, so often the actions associated with affection are withheld from those around us due to the prevalence of messaging we – and our children – receive via social media. I want to challenge you to daily show affection to the children in your lives because it contributes to healthy emotionally development. Trusting bonds are formed between adults and children when tenderness and warmth are feely given.

Care, devotion, and endearment further solidifies relationships and creates happiness that transcends the electronic atmosphere of the modern world. The Center of Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning supports that expressions of warmth and affection will help children learn in the classroom at their local childcare early learning school.

Showing affection is a way of honoring someone and showing them that they are valued. Who doesn't desire to be valued? So, put down your electronic devices and watch happiness grow as you generously give out the free gift of affection!

Character Values Count
Children's Lighthouse staff is dedicated to showing affection to the children in our local childcare centers. The trait of affection has direct ties with our proprietary Lighthouse C.A.R.E.S.sm curriculum through our units on cooperation, helping others, showing kindness, expressing gratitude, and recognizing & accepting differences. These values are the focus of the curriculum at each early learning school.


"Expressions of warmth and affection occur as teachers and other caregivers protect, guide, communicate, teach, and play with children. They help set the tone for all of these interactions, can reassure and comfort children, and may help them to relax."