Child/Parent Attachment
“Child development is fundamentally social – it proceeds through relationships” (Stanley Greenspan Ph.D.)
“Children MUST have a secure relationship with adult caregivers or attachment will not occur and healthy emotional development will; be arrested.” (Richard Delaney Ph. D)
In the early weeks, months and years of life , the following are positive signs that your young child is attempting to “attach” with you:
– eye contact
– smile
– tracking you with his/her eyes
– reaching towards you
– seeking to be picked up
– protesting separation from you
– signalling or calling for you
– clinging
If you consistently meet your child’s needs in the proper way (closeness, eye contact, touch, smiles, tenderness, etc.) he/she subconsciously concludes;
– “The world meets my needs.”
– “I can trust the adults in my life.”
– “I can trust the world.”
These conclusions lead to feeling of :
– “I am safe”
– “I can trust adults”
– I am treated well”
– “My needs are met”
– “I am valued”
– “I am not alone”
– “My future looks bright”
If this relationship between the child and parent remains unbroken, secure and healthy, the stage is set for a healthy attachment to develop.