TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A hug connects you to a person emotionally, with no exception for children. Hugging and being hugged are essential to a child's development; emotional, cognitive, and physical. Below are the five reasons why hugging your kids is important:

1. Hugging makes children more intelligent

Quoting Exchangefamilycenter, children need an appropriate amount of sensory stimulation while their brain is developing and growing. Touch is one of the first senses to develop. Thus, physical touch as a stimulation for your children is integral to their cognitive and brain development.

2. Hugging makes children healthier

Hugging could trigger the release of oxytocin, the hormones responsible for feelings of trust, security, and love. This hormone also encourages certain growth hormones in the body. Therefore, neglecting to hug your children could be unhealthy for them.

3. Hugging makes children more resilient

When children feel stressed, adrenaline and cortisol are released into the brain and the body. Since children could not quite regulate their emotions yet, the stress level could reach a toxic level. Many studies found that high-level stress could negatively impact children in the future.

4. Hugging stops tantrum

Quoting Exchangefamilycenter, hugging is good for children's emotional well-being. Oftentimes, parents worry that hugging children mid-tantrum will encourage the behavior more. However, hugging children does not equal encouraging bad behavior.

5. Hugging encourages stronger bonds with children

In addition to scientific benefits, hugging could create a stronger bond between parents or adults with children. Hugs could boost trust, reduce fear, and strengthen relationships.

SHARISYA KUSUMA RAHMANDA

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