5 Ways Early Childhood Providers Can Show Children Love—On Valentine’s Day & Every Day

Feeling loved and supported is essential to children’s mental, emotional, and social development. In early learning settings, providers play a powerful role in modeling what care, safety, and healthy relationships look like. Love in child care doesn’t require grand gestures—it shows up in consistent, responsive, and respectful interactions.

Here are five provider-focused ways to showing children love and remind them they are valued every day.

1. Lead With Warm, Responsive Care

Gentle touch (when appropriate), eye contact, and a calm, reassuring presence help children feel safe and secure. Simple actions like greeting children by name, offering comfort when they are upset, and staying emotionally available build trust and belonging.

2. Connect Through Shared Experiences

Reading together, playing alongside children, and engaging in daily routines are powerful ways to strengthen relationships. These moments support language development, emotional regulation, and connection—especially when providers are fully present and engaged.

3. Support Emotions With Compassion

When children struggle with big feelings, respond with patience and empathy. Help children name emotions, calm their bodies, and reflect on what happened. Guidance rooted in understanding—not punishment—supports healthy emotional development.

4. Use Encouraging and Respectful Language

Positive, affirming words shape how children see themselves. Providers can model kindness, gratitude, and respect by speaking thoughtfully, offering praise for effort, and avoiding sarcasm or harsh corrections. Words matter—and children remember them.

5. Create a Safe, Caring Environment

Providing a consistent, predictable, and healthy environment is one of the strongest ways to show care. This includes attending to children’s physical needs, maintaining safe spaces, encouraging healthy habits, and building routines that help children feel secure and supported.

Showing Children Love and Care Builds Strong Foundations

In early childhood settings, love looks like consistency, presence, and respect. When providers show children they are valued—every single day—they help build confidence, resilience, and a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.

At National Indian Child Care Association, we recognize and honor the vital role early childhood providers play in nurturing children through culturally grounded, compassionate care.