The child’s first bond, called attachment, is an enduring emotional tie that unites the child to one or more caregivers and has a far- reaching effects on the child’s development. Attachment is an emotional bond to another person. Psychologist John Bowlby was the first attachment theorist, describing attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” Bowlby believed the earliest attachments between children and their caregivers have a tremendous impact that continues throughout life. According to Bowlby, attachment also serves to keep the infant close to the mother, thus improving the chances for survival. The central idea of attachment theory is that mothers who are available and responsive to their infant’s needs establish a sense for security.
Also this essay will discuss the impact on children and adults of disrupted attachment and separation. Bowlby’s theory of attachment is the idea that children form a two way attachment with their primary caregiver, and this relationship should be warm, intimate and continuous in order for the child to develop properly. Bowlby believed that the relationship between a mother or primary caregiver and their child was most crucial during the first 18 to 24 months of life and that is, was this time, which affected later socialisation. He also thought that there was a sensitive period in the first few years of life and if an attachment was not formed. In addition he suggested the idea of monotropy, which is the suggestion that infants tend to direct attachment behaviours towards a single attachment figure, and that there is one special bond and this is typically between a mother and its child.
Nurturing stage: Birth to 18-24 Months or Autonomy- The major task at this stage is forming bonds of attachment with the baby. Parents attempt to meet the needs of the baby and balance this with other responsibilities involving spouse, jobs, and friends. Authoritative stage: Two to four or five years- Parents nurture, guide, and discipline their child. Parents evaluate their effectiveness in establishing limits, communicating and enforcing rules, and allowing enough freedom for each child to grow and develop. Interpretive Stage: Preschool Years through Adolescence- Parents teach their child about life and help him or her interpret the actions of others such as their teachers and peers.
Attachment Style and Relationships An individual’s attachment style will have a strong effect upon the type of love relationship he or she will have. Following the study results of Hazen and Shaver (1994), we can surmise that the relationship between an infant and their parents will likely define the type of relationships the child will be prone to in adulthood. It is also logical to assume that whatever relationship infants have with their parents will be unchanged even as they grow older. Since people are not born with an innate relationship style, it is something that is learned from their primary caregiver when they are as early as infancy. It is a continual educational process through childhood, as well.
Bowlby argued that attachment was an "evolved mechanism;" an innate response that ensured the survival of the child. Bowlby argued that the first attachment between a baby and its caregiver provided the child with an internal working model. This is referred to as the continuity hypothesis and it gives the child an idea of themselves as lovable (or not) and of other people as trustworthy (or not.) Bowlby suggested the idea of monotropy in his attachment theory; the idea that an attachment to a single caregiver provides the experience of an intense emotional relationship and forms the basis of the internal working model; it is the schema a child has for forming future relationships, both socially and personally. He also described social releasers; sucking, smiling, crying and cuddling.
Attachment allows the child to learn trust and feel secure with the person they are bonding with, this is important in how they form relationships with others. Also the child is likely to develop strong self- esteem as they grow older. If the care giver makes the child feel secure and happy the child is more likely to develop a similar personality and a strong feeling of self worth. John Bowlby (1969) defined attachment as “a lasting connectedness between two human beings” (Http://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html) Attachment overall, is the foundations set by the caregiver or adult that can contribute to the child growing up knowing how to be caring and loving towards others as they mature. Sociability starts from birth and is the ability to be sociable and form relationships with others.
P5 Supporting the emotional security of children under 3 years in pre-school setting We need to provide constant reassurance for babies and toddlers in order for them to settle well, feel safe and valued. Babies 0-12 month: eye contact, physical contact(cuddles, picking up) gentle talk and smiles while changing nappy feeding or playing, respond to they sound making. Babies 12-24 month: continue with all as when younger, now respond positively when saying first words by praising and encouraging, get down to their own level, hold hands when needed. Toddlers 24-36 month: being gentle and understanding their needs as children now can easily get angry and frustrated ,give responsibility to promote self-worth by hanging their own coats putting it on and taking it off. We can help children to over come strong feelings, for babies when they cry this means fed, nappy change or just a cuddle, for toddlers it is important that basic needs are met and use distracting techniques to avoid unwanted
Permissive parents tend to have more focus on rewarding a child for good behavior while an authoritarian seems to concentrate more on punishment for bad behavior. This praise for good behavior and punishment for bad behavior plays a huge part in a child’s emotional security. Nevertheless, To a child emotional security is the feeling of being loved, it can give the child senses of being wanted. Often, just a hug can help a child feel emotionally secure. Permissive parents
This mother-infant attachment bond shapes a child’s brain, greatly influencing a person’s self-esteem, expectations of others, and ability to attract and maintain successful adult relationships. By learning about maternal – infant bonding and mother – child attachment, you can build healthier, attuned relationships, and communicate more effectively. The emotional attachment that grew between infants and their mother’s are the first interactive relationship of a person’s life, and it is based upon non-verbal communications and preverbal memories which are firmly imprinted on young infant’s psyches. The bonding experienced decides how a person would relate to other people throughout his/her
Trust is a big part of building a relationship with people, especially with children who are under your care. In my own experience of building relationships with children – students in my case – I found that having a friendly, open nature works best in gaining their friendship and trust. Children respond well to someone who is approachable and this is the only way to get them to co-operate with you. I have taught several children with social/personality disorders and although at the start of our relationship it was challenging to gain their confidence, I managed to build and maintain a strong friendship with them by being able to relate to them will and approach them with a bright, positive attitude. Maintaining a relationship with someone is very important also as it keeps you in contact with others.