Developing Secure Caregiver-Child Attachment
Children develop physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively within the earliest and most important relationships they have with significant caregivers. Babies come in to the world ready to “attach” and form these relational bonds with their caregivers; however, the quality of their attachment is largely influenced by how their primary caregivers read and respond to their emotional signals. Primary caregivers are those important persons in a child’s life, usually parents, who provide care on a routine basis and who are emotionally invested in the child’s well being. The process of early bonding with babies is facilitated by nurturing activities such as feeding, holding, soothing, communicating (singing, motherese/parentese), and developing routines to promote a sense of safety and security. Responding quickly and with sensitivity to babies’ needs is an important way toward building trust, cultivating empathy, and fostering security between caregiver and baby. Building a secure attachment relationship with an infant during this critical window establishes a foundation for how the child views themselves, understands and interacts with others, approaches new situations and learning, and copes with stress and danger.
News Flash! Secure caregiver-child attachment relationships are based on a developmental process by which the infant learns to effectively use the caregiver as a secure base to explore, seek comfort, and understand relationships. Children also develop the ability to understand and regulate their emotional states through this relationship and with the caregiver’s help.
Helpful Hint! As a caregiver, being emotionally present and available, self aware, and reflective are important skills in fostering healthy and loving parent-child relationships.
Resource: There are sites around Connecticut that are offering Attachment Parenting groups. Attachment Parenting is a framework based on nine parenting principles from the Attachment Parenting International (API) organization.
For more information about API, visit www.attachmentparenting.com From this site, you can locate local program leaders and contact them directly for group information.
The Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut generously donated its expertise to create this content. For more information please go to http://www.chdi.org/.