Attachment Essay

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Because of the unique needs of a child at birth, the bond that a child forms with a person develops quickly and gets stronger in their first years of life. Although the child is born emotionally unattached, an emotional bond is formed and is called Attachment. Many people assume that a parent is the only person that can form attachments with children. However, attachments can happen between a child and anyone who takes care of them. Attachment is “the relational bond that connects a child to another important person; feelings and behaviors of devotion or positive connection” (Gordon & Browne, 639). A child’s attitude, health and behavior can help a caregiver determine if an attachment has been healthy or unhealthy to their development. The different forms of attachment that may be healthy or unhealthy to a child’s development are called “secure” and “insecure”. In order to understand the role that a caregiver plays on creating and maintaining secure attachments in toddlers and preschoolers, we must first determine what secure and insecure attachments are. A secure attachment is one that is formed when a child feels as if they can depend on their caregiver. Children depend on their caregivers to provide them with the necessities they need to grow and live a healthy life. It is the confidence that a child has knowing that their caregiver has had their best interest at heart, that helps build these attachments. This is the strongest attachment that a child can have with their caregiver. A child with a secure attachment will express it through their attitude, behavior and health. A child who has a secure attachment usually plays well with other children their age. They may cry when their parents leave, but will settle down to a ... ... middle of paper ... ...n their caregivers the most. The way that a caregiver takes care of an infant determines the attitude, health and behavior of a child in their toddler and preschool years. It is a caregiver’s responsibility and duty to help a child develop secure attachments by doing everything necessary to meet the needs of a child. A caregiver who is able to set expectations and limits is one that is promoting appropriate behavioral patterns. It is the caregiver that shows a child love, affection and makes time for them that helps develop positive attitudes. A caregiver who responds to the needs of a child by ensuring that they are getting proper nutrition and adequate exercise is one that guarantees the health and well-being of a child. The role that a caregiver plays in developing secure attachments with children is not easy, but it is the most important and the most meaningful.

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