^{Kids are unique in the way they think about love; the value and complexity of love develops as kids move through the stages of childhood and begin associating love with memories and feelings of connection rather than external objects. One quality that makes kids so wide-eyed and innocent is their ability to love the world around them unconditionally. As the brain grows, so does a child’s perception of love and how they choose to define it. Kids around the age of three are more likely to define love as concrete objects, like balloons or puppies. Berit Brogaard Ph.D from psychologytoday.com writes that “any extra prodding to get them to explain why they think these objects are love is likely to be met with much exasperation.” Although explaining love can be exasperating, every age, despite how young, can recognize love. It is human nature to crave connection. The ability to love is ingrained in humans, even if they are too young to have the vocabulary or ability to self reflect and describe it. When the brain matures, concepts such as love attach to memories and attitudes. In this stage, kids can recognize what acts of  love are and how to display it; they see love in their parents and demonstrate it towards them through kindness and selflessness.}

^{How does love make you feel?} 

^{Wolfie, 6  “Bored…bored…bored and protected.”}

^{Mack, 9  “Happy, not feel sad…It makes me feel appreciated.”}

^{Elena, 8  “Happy, like if  i’m in bed and I can’t fall asleep. I like when my mom comes in and tucks me in…I feel safe…I just feel tired.”}

^{What do you love?}

^{Will, 10 “I love hockey and I love reading… my favorite book is Harry Potter.”}

^{Duffy, 7  “I would have to say TV and video games because I get to do them at night when my mom does not see.”}

^{Caroline, 8  “I love drawing flowers…I love dogs and my parents and my friend Katherine because she is nice and sweet.”}

^{Where do you see love?}

^{Luke, 10 “I see love in my family and on TV…sometimes I see it when people come together for holidays…in friendships and when people get married and on birthdays…also when people come together for dinner or lunch.”}

^{Emma, 9  “I see love in dogs and puppies and from my mom and my dad, but not my brothers!”}

^{What does love mean to you?} 

^{Kostas, 5  “It’s how somebody feels and it’s like if someone marries you and you want them to.}

^{Zoe, 8 “It’s gross because people kiss… But when my mom loves me it is better than the gross kind.”}