Whilst we’re on the topic of early childhood development theories though our last few articles, let’s do a deep dive on something we’ve spoken briefly about before attachment theory. Long time readers will know that a child will develop trust in its caregivers from birth the more quality time they spend with them, the more attached they are. This notion is called attachment theory and is another consideration taught in childcare courses.
I want to give you a few definitions of terms used within the childcare sector, firstly, a primary caregiver is a person that provides care who lives with the child. This is normally parents, but could also be grandparents, aunts and foster parents dependant on the child’s situation. I also talk about development a lot and we all know what that means on the physical front, rolling, crawling, sitting, standing then walking. Social development is what’s going on in the background and about how they learn about what actions, smiling, waving means. Emotional development is about learning to communicate how they’re feeling, it starts out as basic needs and becomes more complex as they age.
Attachment theory is about how a adult influence plays a role in a child’s social and emotional development. This frame of study focuses on how a relationship with a influential adult impact on the child’s mental health moving forward. This idea, called attachment theory was created by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby. Though his research, he suggests that a child needs to develop a strong bond with at least one primary care giver to ensure proper development of social and emotional skills as part of their own survival.
Attachment theory has been linked to a child’s confidence and mental health. Children need a strong bond with at least one primary caregiver to develop socially and emotionally normally. A lack of that attachment, a lack of development in these areas. A inability communicate, socially causes a inability to communicate needs emotionally, not just in childhood, but, all the way though to adulthood. The idea is that a poor attachment to a child’s primary caregivers can result in mental health disorders in later life due to lack of relevant skills, they lack in these skills due to a lack in parental support. A strong attachment can be the catalyst to a child’s confidence knowing that they’ve got someone backing them up.
So what’s a good attachment vs a poor attachment to a primary caregiver. Well a good attachment is a child that trusts their primary caregivers, this child will be a lot more open, adventurous and vocal because their not worried about what parents think. A child with a poor or weak attachment will be quieter and closed off because they are afraid of the adults they live with. Really, you want a strong attachment with your child, it makes it easier to keep them safe as young children, and provides massive benefits for them in the future. In return you get better behaved children, less moody teenagers and a young adult that asks you for help instead of pushing you away. I’d call that a win win situation.
In a world full of new risks to your child, It’s easier to have a child that trusts you to keep them safe that a child who is trying to do that for themselves. A child with a poor attachment to a primary caregiver is at a much higher risk for crimes committed my sketchy adults online, drug addiction, mental health struggles and becoming a criminal themselves. If you want to raise a productive member of society, I recommend looking at the attachment between you and your child.
Last but not least, activity of the week.
This week we’re exploring fine motor skills with a threading activity. You will need:
Coloured pasta (macaroni, penne or rotelle)
Large beads
Curling ribbon
Tie a bead onto the end of your ribbon and double knot it tightly. Thread on your pasta shape(s), and any beads your child wishes to have. Loop the end over and knot it so that the loop fits over the bead at the end creating a latch.
If you need instruction on dyeing your pasta, please find it on our activity cookbook page.