30.4.1: Attachment
- Page ID
- 199095
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“The most powerful rewards we can receive are the attention, approval and affection of the people we love and respect” (Perry, 2017)
Infants' developmental trajectories and learning experiences are profoundly shaped by their interactions with adults [1]. This psychosocial development unfolds as children build relationships, interact with others, and manage and understand their emotions. A crucial element in this aspect of development is the formation of healthy attachments. Attachment, defined as a deep and enduring emotional bond with others, plays a pivotal role in this process [2]. Delving further, attachment theory, eloquently described by Fahlberg (1981) as an emotional link between two people that persists across space and time, offers profound insights into the vital role played by infant care caregivers in nurturing these essential bonds. This theory underscores the importance of secure, stable attachments in early life stages, shaping how infants form relationships and interact with their world. Infants form their sense of self and understanding of others through interactions with parents, family members, and caregivers. These relationships foster a child's emotional security and shape their world perception.
These relationships provide a stable foundation for children as they explore and learn about their surroundings. Understanding developmentally appropriate behaviors should be the foundation from which a theory of guidance and support begins. [1]
| Developmental Skill | Definition |
|---|---|
| Emerging Awareness of Self and Others | Infants show signs of recognizing themselves and understanding their relationship to the social world. |
| Recognition of Personal Abilities and Self-Efficacy | The concept of self-efficacy emerges in infancy, encompassing an understanding that the infant can influence their environment and have specific abilities. |
| Development of Social Understanding: | Infants and toddlers also develop a nuanced understanding of social interactions. This includes learning what to expect from others, engaging in reciprocal social exchanges, and understanding appropriate behaviors for different social contexts. Social cognitive understanding is a cornerstone for developing social competence and empathy [3]. |
| Influence of Adult Communication on Social Development | Recent research highlights adult communication's role in shaping toddlers' social understanding. |
| Expression of Emotion in Early Childhood | Infants and toddlers express emotions from infancy through facial expressions, vocalizations, and body language. Using language to express emotions gives them a tool for seeking assistance or social support[4]. Temperament influences how children express emotions. |
| Formation of Peer Relationships: | Infants form close bonds with children they frequently interact with, such as those in family childcare settings or neighborhoods. These relationships are essential for developing strong social connections. |
| Preference for Familiar Peers: | Young children often prefer playing and interacting with friends over peers with whom they do not have an established relationship. |
| Patterns of Friendship Across Age Groups: | Research by Howes (1983) indicates distinct patterns of friendship among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. These patterns differ in the number of friendships, the stability of these relationships, and the nature of interactions, including the extent of object exchange or verbal communication[5]. |
Attributions:
- [1] California Department of Education. (2009). California infant/toddler learning & development foundations. CDE Press.
- [2] Giovannini, J. (2023). Children, families, schools, and communities. Holyoke Community College.
- [3] Thompson, R. A., & Goodvin, R. (2005). The Individual Child: Temperament, Emotion, Self, and Personality. In M. H. Bornstein & M. E. Lamb (Eds.), Developmental Science: An Advanced Textbook (5th ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- [4] Saarni, C., and others. (2006). Emotional Development: Action, Communication, and Understanding. In N. Eisenberg (Ed.), Handbook of Child Psychology (6th ed., Vol. 3, Social, Emotional, and Personality Development). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
- [5] California Department of Education. (2009). California infant/toddler learning & development foundations. CDE Press.