Love Languages: Building an Understanding of the Needs of Others

Everyone expresses love in their own way – some people spend quality time with those they love while others give gifts as a way to express their affection. Understanding these different expressions and interpretations of love, also known as “love languages”, can be an essential part of building deep, trusting relationships.

At Asheville Academy, we teach students and families about love languages and help them identify which love language they specifically express.

What are the love languages?

The love languages, according to Dr. Gary Chapman in his popular book The Five Love Languages, are:

1. 1. Words of affirmation: This love language prefers verbal expressions of love such as hearing “I love you” and other compliments from others. To individuals who identify the most with this love language, words are extremely valuable and insults can be especially harmful.
   2. Quality time: Individuals who identify with this love language value spending time with others above all else. They feel loved the most when others are focused solely on them. They feel very hurt when others postpone or cancel quality time and act distracted in their company.
   3. Receiving gifts:  People who identify with this love language feel loved the most when they recieve tangible gifts from others.
   4. Acts of service: Those who identify with the acts of service love language feel loved the most when others take the time to help them out in times of need. They want people to follow through on their promises.
   5. Physical touch: For people who identify with this love language, physical contact such as hugs and other everyday physical connections are the highest expression of love.

Asheville Academy can help

Asheville Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for girls ages 10-14 located just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Learn more about how our program can help your family by calling our toll-free number – 800.264.8709.