Responsive and Attuned Infant Care: Attachment-Focused Childcare to Support Optimal Infant Wellbeing
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Authors
Queenan, Hannah
Issue Date
2022-05
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
infancy , circle of security , neurodevelopment , children , attachment , child care
Alternative Title
Abstract
Early childhood development is a sensitive period where the brain is at its most malleable. Early relationships set the trajectory for optimal infant neurodevelopment (Schore, 2001). Early experiences and attachments support young children to be able to self-regulate and thrive (Perry, 2002). It is critical that more emphasis is placed within early childhood education on the importance of relationships. This paper intends to provide an overview of attachment theory, early neurodevelopment, and the Circle of Security attachment-based intervention to support the idea that early childhood is an important and critical period to focus early intervention resources. Attachment theory (Ainsworth et al., 1978; Bowlby, 1982) emphasizes the way that maternal warmth and responsiveness contributes to children's ability to develop a secure attachment. Secure attachment is connected with a regulated and calm nervous system (Schore, 2003). Furthermore, the Circle of Security intervention builds upon attachment theory to support care providers with an outline for how to facilitate strong attachment relationships with young children. Circle of Security is a way for supporting primary caregivers with how to create the optimal environment for very young children to be able to explore from a secure base (Hoffman et al., 2017). This paper will further recommend and outline a workshop series to support those that work in early childcare with building and facilitating attachment-focused, responsive, and attuned childcare.
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Citation
Publisher
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess